Help Shelly fight her battle with cancer

Meet shelly, a courageous 39-year-old mother of two, Oscar who is 9 and Levi who is 7, and adored by her husband Ben, who is fighting the battle of her life against a terminal diagnosis of stage 4 Cholangiocarcinoma Cancer.

Words cannot articulate how incomprehensible this is for both Shelly and her family to grasp, and the implications this has for everyone who loves her. Cholangiocarcinoma is a rare and aggressive cancer that originates in the bile ducts which are the tubes that carry bile from the liver to the small intestine. Because of the seriousness and urgency of Shelly’s cancer, we have created this page in an effort to rally behind her family through this difficult time.

With a heavy heart, Shelly received the devastating diagnosis in January this year but her spirit and will to live remains unbroken as she embarks on this challenging journey. Currently Shelly is undergoing chemotherapy with weekly treatments to reduce the size and spread of the tumours that have developed into her liver. This will not cure her cancer but will slow the growth and spread, buying us time to find crucial resources, trials and treatments to enhance her quality of life and precious time with her loved ones.

It's times like this where we often feel helpless. I find myself drawing strength and resilience from Shelly’s attitude to this whole situation. I find it difficult to comprehend that such a caring, selfless, fit, and healthy person can be faced with such an awful disease. Cancer certainly does not discriminate. It is quick, covert, and ruthless. To this day, Shelly has not uttered a word of self-pity, or inequity, or anger. She has shielded her boys from any raw emotions. Her comments and mindset have been nothing short of inspirational.

Over everything else, Shellys greatest wish is to see her boys grow up and thrive. She refuses to let cancer dictate her future and is determined to explore every possible avenue for treatment to extend her time with her precious children, husband, family, and friends. Anyone who knows Shelly knows how determined she is, and with her, her tribe rallying together, we are not letting her go without the most epic fight we can provide.

The financial burden of medical expenses, specialised treatments and ongoing care is overwhelming and building rapidly for her and her family. That’s why I am reaching out to you, our compassionate community, her tribe, her known and unknown cheer squad, to join us in supporting Shellys fight against this insidious disease. Every donation, no matter how small will make a meaningful difference in her journey. Your generosity will provide her with access to potentially life saving treatments and alleviate the financial strain on her family during this challenging time.

Together let’s rally around Shelly and her boys, showing them the power of love, support and hope in the face of adversity. Your kindness and generosity will be a beacon of light in their darkest hours. Your ongoing support means the world to her, and her family and we want to keep you informed every step of the way.

We will be using this page to provide everyone with treatment updates as they come on Shelly’s treatment. Whilst Shelly and Ben will endeavor to respond to messages and calls over the coming months as they grapple with, treatments, meetings with specialists, and recovery - it may take a little bit of time to reply.

If you have any questions, concerns, or messages of support you'd like us to pass on, please feel free to contact Shelly’s sister Lizzie in the first instance.

Much love, and thank you for your support.

Ps. I met Shelly and Ben many years ago where they met working together in the deli. I watched their love story from the very beggining and I know it will last a lifetime. I absolutely adore my Shelly from the deli.