Let’s share our love with Mandy and Neal ❤️

Neal was born and raised in Orange and attended Canobolas High. In 2017, he was diagnosed with bowel cancer at just 35 years old. So young, and his step-son and son were then only 9 years old, and 10 months old. He had radiation and bowel resection surgery, losing 2/3 of his bowel and ending up with a permanent stoma and colostomy bag. 9 months later, he finished chemotherapy, just a few weeks after his third child, and only daughter, was born. He remained cancer free for just over a year.

In 2019, just weeks after he and partner Mandy became engaged, Neal underwent another massive surgery in Sydney to remove half his liver, and the cancer growing in it. After a long recovery and another 6 months of chemotherapy, there was once again no sign of cancer.

In early 2021, a CT scan for sciatic pain revealed the cancer had returned and was now in his pelvis. He underwent another major surgery in Sydney, knowing he would never walk properly again as a result. A week after this surgery, while being transferred back to Orange hospital for recovery and rehabilitation, Neal suffered a seizure, and doctors subsequently discovered the cancer had spread to his brain. He returned to Sydney for a craniotomy to remove the brain tumour. This was followed by whole brain radiation, and yet more chemotherapy.

Neal finished the latest round of chemotherapy in October of 2021. During this time he suffered a myriad of medical problems, learned to walk again with crutches, and lived with chronic, debilitating pain.

In November 2021, a routine scan showed the pelvic tumour had returned, and grown significantly, whilst he was still undergoing chemotherapy. This cancer is inoperable, radiation is no longer an option, and chemotherapy no longer works. Doctors have started immunotherapy, in the hopes this may extend his life, but predict he only has another 6-12 months to live.

Mandy and Neal, along with their three lovely children are simply the most beautiful family, and they deserved a much happier life. They have been active, involved and giving members of the local community, volunteering their time and helping out in the community when possible. Now it’s our turn to give back to them.

We can’t take Neal’s illness away, but we can help them make the best of whatever time they have left. They’d love to finally get married, with a beautiful day surrounded by loved ones, celebrating their love for each other. To have photos capturing every moment, for the children too young to remember. A family-moon, a chance to get away from the hospital and medical treatment for a while and to make some beautiful memories with their children- memories that will last forever.

We can help give them a magical wedding day, a memory making holiday and take the pressure off them financially. Please donate if you can and share this as much as possible, and leave a message of love for one of the loveliest families we all know.