The cost of treatment overseas is a considerable burden for any family. While the treatment itself is covered by MTOP (Medical Treatment Overseas Program), there are considerable associated costs with travelling to Seattle not covered by the program. All money raised will go to assisting the family with these costs.
Violet is a 7-year-old Melbourne girl, diagnosed with Leukaemia when she was 4.
After three years of enduring chemotherapy and radiation therapy at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Australian Oncology specialists have told Violet and her parents, that she is not responding to standard treatment and that there are currently no further effective treatment options available for her in Australia.
The Royal Children’s Hospital Oncology specialists, in consultation with the International Oncology Panel, have advised the best chance at saving Violet’s life is an immunotherapy treatment called ‘CAR T cell therapy’. This treatment is only available at a few hospitals worldwide and Violet has been accepted to receive this treatment at Seattle Children’s Hospital, U.S.A.
Violet, Mum (Tess), Dad (Sal) and younger brother PJ, will need to relocate to Seattle and set up home there for 3 months so Violet can access this life saving treatment. It is risky treatment with severe side effects, however it is now the only hope remaining for Violet.
In order for Violet to receive this treatment, her parents will need to pay $455,000 USD ($615,000 AUD) upfront, with no Medicare rebate.
Please donate to give brave, young Violet the opportunity to survive this cancer and the chance of living a normal childhood.
VIOLET’S JOURNEY SO FAR
April 2015
Violet’s parents, Tess and Sal, are just like you and me. They live in the south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne, both working and striving for career progression, have a beautiful 4-year-old daughter (Violet), proudly watching her thrive; at kinder 3 days a week and taking classical ballet lessons, and expecting their second child in July…the usual busy life of a young family.
Like any child starting at kinder, Violet caught all the usual frequent infections. However, Violet became progressively more tired, taking unscheduled naps on the couch whilst kids played around her. Many weeks were spent at home, from what seemed to be a relentless plethora of viruses, tonsillitis and an ear infection. After 3 courses of antibiotics with no apparent effect, Violet had become so weak she stopped walking. Upon the 5th GP visit in 7 weeks, Tess and Sal were told to take Violet to the Royal Children’s Hospital immediately.
Four hours after walking in the door of Emergency, and after having only simple standard blood tests performed, Violet was diagnosed with blood cancer.
In the following days she was diagnosed with Pre B Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia – Standard Risk (bone marrow isolated), the most common and successfully treated form of childhood cancer. Violet was required to undergo two and a half years of treatment.
May 2017
The end was in sight. Violet underwent her last intravenous chemotherapy treatment and Violet and her family celebrated what they thought would be her final Lumbar Puncture. Devastatingly, Tess and Sal, were informed by the Oncologist at the Royal Children’s Hospital, that the cancer had not only returned, it had spread to the fluid around her brain and spine.
This meant Violet was required to undergo more aggressive chemotherapy with a treatment plan of a further two and half years, this time including whole brain radiation therapy.
June 2018
One year into treatment, and only a couple of weeks after the aggressive therapy had ceased, the worst outcome materialised, Violet’s cancer returned for a second time…
We are reaching out to tell you Violet’s story. The story of an incredibly beautiful, independent and brave 7-year-old girl. We ask you to help Violet and her family, a family not dissimilar to our own, on their very real journey to save their daughters life.