Treatment for Matt Pitman
Donation protected
Matt, Pauline, Alex (12 years) and Jemma (10 years) have become a cherished part of a wide community since their arrival from South Africa in June 2015 and I know, like me, you will have beautiful memories of time spent with this wonderful family.
Sadly back in January 2018 Matt was diagnosed with Cholangiocarcinoma (Bile Duct cancer), which has now spread to his liver, and courageously he has undertaken a rigorous regimen of treatment for the last 2 years in Australia which has often left him unable to undertake regular full time employment.
The whole family are planning to return to South Africa in March so Alex and Jemma can settle into new schools, and so they can benefit from the additional hands-on support of family.
Due to a 1 year waiting period , Matt’s private health insurance in South Africa will not fund Chemo before June 2020. Unfortunately after a good run of clear scans two lesions showed up again in January this year affecting their plans to take a 2 month break from treatment as part of the process to return to South Africa. Consequently, private funding is required for around 3 months at an indicative cost of $3,000 AUD per treatment for Matt to receive chemo in South Africa.
The unfortunate alternative is that Matt would have to return to Australia for his treatment for those three months without the support of his family, something we are desperately trying to avoid. The number of treatments required for Matt to privately fund in South Africa is unclear however I would like us to raise enough to cover 8 treatments along with some additional funds to support the family whilst Matt is unable to work.
Matt is a proud man and that’s why I have chosen to reach out to this Community as, I am sure you will agree, it is not an option for Matt to undergo Chemo here in Australia without the deep love and support of Pauline, Alex and Jemma.
Any financial support you can offer is greatly appreciated and will be life changing for this courageous, wonderful man we all have the privilege of calling our friend - Matt Pitman.
Sadly back in January 2018 Matt was diagnosed with Cholangiocarcinoma (Bile Duct cancer), which has now spread to his liver, and courageously he has undertaken a rigorous regimen of treatment for the last 2 years in Australia which has often left him unable to undertake regular full time employment.
The whole family are planning to return to South Africa in March so Alex and Jemma can settle into new schools, and so they can benefit from the additional hands-on support of family.
Due to a 1 year waiting period , Matt’s private health insurance in South Africa will not fund Chemo before June 2020. Unfortunately after a good run of clear scans two lesions showed up again in January this year affecting their plans to take a 2 month break from treatment as part of the process to return to South Africa. Consequently, private funding is required for around 3 months at an indicative cost of $3,000 AUD per treatment for Matt to receive chemo in South Africa.
The unfortunate alternative is that Matt would have to return to Australia for his treatment for those three months without the support of his family, something we are desperately trying to avoid. The number of treatments required for Matt to privately fund in South Africa is unclear however I would like us to raise enough to cover 8 treatments along with some additional funds to support the family whilst Matt is unable to work.
Matt is a proud man and that’s why I have chosen to reach out to this Community as, I am sure you will agree, it is not an option for Matt to undergo Chemo here in Australia without the deep love and support of Pauline, Alex and Jemma.
Any financial support you can offer is greatly appreciated and will be life changing for this courageous, wonderful man we all have the privilege of calling our friend - Matt Pitman.
Organizer and beneficiary
Linda Murray
Organizer
Braeside, VIC
Pauline Pitman
Beneficiary