Mel’s Brain Cancer Treatment

In June 2017, my best friend Mel and her husband Dan, were brand new parents to beautiful 6 month old Ava. Whilst enjoying a much needed pamper at the hairdresser, Mel became suddenly ill, requiring her sister, Amanda, to rush her to hospital. Mel was quickly transferred to ICU as she had begun to lose consciousness and began to have seizures. In the days that followed, we were shocked to learn that Mel had a large brain tumour, Glioblastoma (GBM).

GMB is an aggressive brain tumour that is fast growing and extremely hard to treat. Now at the age of only 36, Mel has fought hard and undergone 2 years of treatment which has included numerous surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation and clinical trials. Mel is now at the stage where her treatment options have been exhausted and her last resort is a drug called Avastin. Avastin is a drug known to slow tumour growth by killing the blood vessels that feed the tumour.

Avastin is not covered by the PBS.

Mel is due to start Avastin at the end of June 2019. The cost to Mel PER treatment is a whopping $7000 each time. Mel will require this treatment every fortnight, which is a huge financial strain on this young family.

Mel and Dan are a humble couple who have thusfar resisted asking for financial assistance since the cessation of funds allocated by the cancer support group. Mel has been unable to work since her diagnosis and her mother Lyn has had to resign from her employment to become a carer for both Mel and 2 year old Ava.

I’m hoping that we can all help Mel, Dan and Ava by assisting them with the financial burden. This wonderful family deserves time to enjoy each other without worrying about how they’ll pay for day to day living expenses. Any donation is welcome, big or small, please feel free to share. Thank you.