Please Help Our Grace Fight Brain Cancer

Hi, my name is Rita Finlay-Joseph and I am fundraising to help one of life's kindest, selfless and gentlest human beings, Grace Kennedy.

Grace is a local Wollongong young lady.

How do I know Grace...Grace's Dad, Ian Kennedy, has been a school friend since "way back when" and I have had the privilege to know Grace through that connection.

At the age of 20 and only a few weeks ago, Grace was suddenly diagnosed with a Stage 4 Paediatric Brain Cancer after having feelings of dizziness and a few headaches. It really came out of nowhere.

One minute, this young lady is working and studying, following her hobbies of cooking, reading and going to music concerts to be advised on the necessary and immediate steps to an emergency surgery to remove the brain cancer.

Needless to say this has left Grace, her family and friends completely shocked. And desperately wanting to help through prayer, giving hope and financial assistance.

But what I keep assuring Grace of is I know people would want to help her to fight this challenge the best way she can and without worrying about the medical costs associated with it.

Grace is embarrassingly accepting of this GoFundMe Page as she doesn't want to "put people out helping her"...this is how Grace thinks...always putting others first.

This is where we all come into Grace's story and can play a large part in how this story follows and why we are asking to help Grace financially.

By Grace having a paediatric tumour in an adult body, there is no medical code to assign the billing costs and so the raw medical bills are starting to add up.

Currently, Grace is waiting on the type of tumour for the final length of time for treatment but at this stage, Grace has been advised radiation therapy is going to be at least 6 weeks and chemo is 4 months starting February. This could change at any time but either way Grace is out of work and reliant on others for support.

Grace has been accepted into some clinical trials in Sydney. However, the medical costs associated with these trials, and travelling to and from Sydney for her family for the next few months, are quickly adding up. Scans, blood tests, petrol for travel, leave from work and so on.

One of the other concerns most important to Grace is the effect this will have on her fertility. She has been advised to consider fertility preservation treatments which, again, costs substantially. This part is important to Grace and these funds can help her in this way.

At this stage, Grace will not be able to continue working or studying for her Certificate 4 in Travel and Tourism, something she was enjoying. And her family income and Leave from work is quickly being impacted by this.

So I am asking, please consider helping Grace, in whatever capacity you can. I know how grateful Grace, and her family, are for this support. The worry and pressure is certainly elevated for them.

And if you are unable to help financially, please consider sharing this page with family and friends. We would be so grateful for as much support as possible.

At this time of the year, we want to bring as much hope to Grace. And if you are unable to help financially please keep Grace, and her family, in your prayers.

Thanks so much everyone,

Rita x