A WISH FOR WILLOW - SUPPORT FOR THE ROBERTS FAMILY

Jingeela, Hello.

On behalf of Damien and Martika, it is our hope to raise much needed financial support for their family as they embark on the most challenging chapter of their lives.

No parent could ever prepare themselves for the reality that Damien and Martika, and their families, now face to support their daughter, Willow Roberts.

Damien is a proud Widjabal Wia-bal man from Bundjalung country, and together with his partner Martika, they are raising their children surrounded by a strong and connected community in Lismore, northern NSW.

Their beautiful 7 year old daughter Willow has been diagnosed with Telangiectatic Osteosarcoma, a rare, malignant, high-grade osteosarcoma Cancer.

In April, just a few weeks ago, after noticing Willow was in pain, and had a limp in her leg, Damien and Martika sought medical advice.

Initially, the Dr thought she might have had a MCL tear and referred Willow for a left knee X-Ray and ultrasound, and by chance she was able to get an appointment far earlier than she was originally booked in for.

The Drs confirmed Willow had a lesion in her lower femur and immediately referred Willow to the Brisbane Children's Hospital.

The lesion weakened the bone and caused Willow's leg to fracture, and Willow was immediately referred for a biopsy.

Pending the biopsy results, the Dr confirmed with Damien and Martika that Willow was being booked in for a central line port, in preparation for the possibility of an immediate start on Chemotherapy.

On Thursday the 9th May, Damien and Martika were given the devastating news of Willow's diagnosis and told that the central line port surgery is going ahead to start chemotherapy immediately.

It has been confirmed that her treatment plan will be roughly 8-9 months long, as long as there is no delays in chemo from illness.

Willows will need 2 rounds of chemotherapy at 36 days each round.

Following chemotherapy treatment, a leg reconstruction surgery to try to save the leg as it has grown into her growth plate and this will make the surgery more complex and could potentially end with amputation.

After 2 to 3 weeks recovery from surgery, there will be another 4 rounds of chemotherapy at 36 days again each round.

At this stage Willows treatment will be extensive, and the timeframe for this is likely to be 8 months (continuous), as long as there are no other health issues that could impact her treatment.

As you can only imagine, the impact that months of treatment based interstate will have on the family will significantly affect Damien and Martika's ability to work, and support their family needs financially. Too, Damien and Martika recently purchased their first home for their family, and the time they will take off work to support Willow will place great strain on being able to cover their household bills.

Our goal is to raise much needed financial support, initially with a $50,000 goal, and with hopes of beyond that amount, to comfortably ease the financial stress for their family, so they can 100% focus on Willow's treatment and be with her every step of the way.

If you are in a position to help in any way big or small, your support would be received with so much gratitude and appreciation by Damien and Martika, and Willow.

If you feel there is any other way you could support Willow, please feel free to send a message or contact Naomi.

Bulgalbeh, thank you.