Kenny & Olivia

Hi my name is Marie and I have known Olivia for the majority of her life as a close friend of her mother. Recently her partner since 2009 was taken to hospital in severe pain where it was discovered that he was riddled with cancer in several places in his body. This discovery resulted in a whirlwind of activity, emergency surgery, radiation treatment and ongoing diagnostics.

The current situation is still unknown as there were several sites identified with a PET Scan and now biopsies are required to determine if they are dealing with Stage 3 (operable) or Stage 4 (terminal) diagnoses. Regardless of the outcome, they are looking at a very long haul and lots of financial strain ahead.

The family is now reeling with the shock of the situation and trying to figure out what the "new normal" as they await the outcome of the biopsies.

I am setting up this fund, with their permission as no one can possibly be prepared to have both bread winners off work and their income reduced to a percentage, Kenny due to the illness, Olivia as she is his main support person, taking him to appointments and treatments. Currently they have taken a huge hit in their income and significant increases to their expenditures, as they now are required to go to Victoria several times a week for treatments and appointments increasing the cost for gas and additional expenses like parking at the hospital (as an example).

By setting up this fund I am hoping that friends and family who wish to provide assistance can rally collectively and contribute what they can afford to help ease off and reduce some of the financial stresses so the family can focus their energy on healing and recovery.