Support a budding soccer star

Blake Grove is at the beginning of his story. A football (soccer) fanatic from a young lad, he is talented and has worked hard to realise his dream to study and play in the US. He is a rising talent with a great future, dedicated to pursuing his dream of playing professional football only to be struck down in his second year with a bleed on the brain caused by an arteriovenous malformation (AVM). Most likely there since birth, AVMs can rupture at any time and no one ever knows they are there until they do.

A beautiful family, the Groves live a modest life. Dad, Phil is a professor at University of Queensland while mum Nancy is a fitness instructor. Dedicated to their boys Blake and his brother Cole, they have done everything possible to enable both of them to follow their football dreams studying in the US with Cole joining his brother this year.

Luckily Cole was there when Blake collapsed in his room suffering from headache and nausea. Cole and his friends raised the alarm and Blake was taken to hospital whilst Phil and Nancy, half a world away, dropped everything and with 24 hours to get things 'sorted' on the home and work front, were on their way to their son's side.

This is what they were confronted with when they arrived:

Adding a devastating blow for the family, they have learned that the insurance company is not covering the expenses. Whilst the outlook is positive for Blake with treatment available, there is the necessity of possible resection surgery or gamma knife radiotherapy, both of which will require a long rehabilitation. Recently Blake's condition has had further complications with the development of blood clots which have lodged in his lungs. Unfortunately, he can't be given anti-coagulants due to the brain injury as it could result in more bleeding. He's on a myriad of drugs to counteract pain and 'all the things'.

All of this means that the family has to remain in the US for an indefinite period while treatment options can be assessed. There is physio, occupational therapy, speech pathology, not to mention the expected costs of surgery. As well as accommodation and expenses for Phil and Nancy whilst they are there.

Given all this, with each sunrise they are 'thankful he's here and moving in the right direction, grateful that they can be there together as a family and Cole is nearby at college. He has been the most amazing brother through all of this.

This is a beautiful family, I dearly love them all and any help we can give would be much appreciated. I'm sure this will all become part of Blake's story when he kicks the winning goal of the world cup one day.

For transparency, I am just a friend of the family and all donations will go directly to Phil and Nancy to help with the costs associated with Blake’s treatment and rehabilitation.

Thankyou so much for you’re support.