Kirby’s Breast Cancer Journey

In August 2021, Kirby Johnson was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive neuroendocrine breast cancer. It was a shock diagnosis, made even more difficult by the fact that her family were not able to visit her in hospital due to the COVID19 pandemic.

Kirby had an immediate mastectomy and underwent five months of intensive chemotherapy at the National Capital Private Hospital. She then transitioned to six weeks of radiation. During this time, Kirby and her family focussed on the treatment and held onto the hope of the cancer being cured and her health improving.

In April 2022, the Johnson family received the heartbreaking news that the cancer had returned. It had spread from her breast into her liver, meaning the cancer was no longer curable. But to her credit, Kirby never stopped fighting.

In May 2022, Kirby commenced more chemotherapy to slow the cancer’s spread and give her as much time as possible with her family and friends. Kirby and Chris have recently moved to Townsville with their two daughters; Nyla (8) and Scarlett (5). They purchased their own (and first) home and are happily living together again after some time being apart due to Chris’s work.

Their plans for the immediate future will depend somewhat on how Kirby’s treatment goes. They will be taking the time to travel and spend time together to make memories with their daughters wherever possible. In the longer term, their focus is on providing stability, prosperity, and above all happiness for their girls.

The Johnson family are fortunate to have loving family and so many friends who want to help in some way but simply don't know how. This GoFundMe page aims to give friends and family a way to provide support. 

Accepting financial support from friends and family is an uncomfortable feeling and Chris and Kirby have expressed this. However, with so many people wanting to help and the challenging financial situation presented by Kirby's diagnosis, this page gives the people who love the Johnson family a way of providing support that will greatly help.

The Johnson family have created a journal to keep family and friends updated along the way. The journal can be accessed here: https://posthope.org/kirbys-journey