Let's help the Lentell Family

Graham Lentell (AKA “G”) is a man who is known by many as humble, polite, genuine, loyal, self-less, hardworking and a downright good bloke.

In the past year Graham has been dealt a tough hand. He was diagnosed with Merkel Cell Carcinoma, which is a very aggressive form of cancer. He underwent surgery in December 22 to have the cancer removed from near his eye only to discover within 3 weeks it had gone to both his saliva gland and lymphoid. This was then decided by his amazing team of Dr's (the knights of the round table as so humbling the family called them) Graham went through 6 weeks of radiation finishing on the 31st of March this year. Radiation was only done at the time as a preventative measure. It did see him get so sick he was hospitalised for 7days in which every day Sandi would take the kids to school, head to Graham, drive him to his oncology radiation appointment and then drive him back to hospital, say good night then head home to attend to their kids. Their children did all they could to support Graham & Sandi by making sure dinners were ready and school stuff done for the next day.

During this time Graham’s kidney failed and he commenced dialysis (this continues now twice a week).

Sadly, on Tuesday 18th April Graham was advised that his liver had failed. More scans and tests on Wednesday 19th showed the liver was covered in lesions and the specialists advised he would need an urgent PET scan. This happened on Wednesday 26th April and Thursday 27th we were told that the lesions were cancer and that unfortunately the cancer had also gone to his hip. The family were told that without any treatment the end was very near, and fingers crossed with treatment (immunotherapy) he would get more time. Graham commenced immunotherapy on Wednesday 3rd May and we have everything crossed for a miracle.

Graham has been a constant leader in many communities, the Norths Rockhampton Cricket Club and then volunteering at the Souths Sunnybank NRL to be with his 4 boys (since Graham and his family moved to Brisbane in 2019), his ongoing support of the Transplant community (after his own journey) including the Australian Transplant Cricket team and of course his leadership roles throughout Hastings Deering.

It is now our opportunity to give back to Graham and his family. Sandi has been by his side through it all, she has attended every appointment, wiped every tear, and reminded him how much he is loved but this has meant that she has had to step back from her full-time employment. With the loving support of Sandi and their six children, Graham remains positive and determined to fight the battle ahead of him.

If you can support the Lentell family through this challenging time, it would be greatly appreciated.