Remove neurofibroma from Sam's face
Donation protected
Sam Tombil (little Sam) is 8 years old and lives in Papua New Guinea with his family. For several years he has had a Neurofibroma Tumour spreading across his face and threatening his eyesight.
My family has been close friends with Sam's for many years and little Sam is actually named after my brother (big Sam). We have tried for over a year to bring Sam to Australia for treatment. Big Sam went to Papua New Guinea last year and tried to bring little Sam to Australia to commence treatment however they got as close as the airport in Port Moresby before bureaucracy saw his journey end. This time we have him in Australia together with his dad, Joe, living with our family.
We are seeking treatment for Sam, but the disease is a lot more complicated and spread than first thought. The only option is a dangerous and delicate operation performed in only two hospitals in Australia; the Neurogenetics Clinic at The Children's Hospital Westmead in Sydney and the other at the Neurofibromatosis Clinic at The Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne. We have chosen Westmead.
The neurofibroma has significant vascular involvement making it only operable by a specialist team in this field. We are in discussions with surgeons who may donate their time however, the hospital fees alone are going to cost at least $200,000.
Sam has no insurance or medical cover and the tumour has virtually claimed the vision in his right eye. It is important that this operation be performed quickly as once his eye is covered vision will be permanently lost. The other urgency relates to his self-esteem as he is already affected by the deformity which will only get worse.
As a family we have paid for little Sam and Joe to come to Australia and are paying their living expenses. We are going to pay the first $50,000 toward his medical fees, after that we need help.
Little Sam is an important person in our lives and we want to see him grow and lead a healthy life.
We are asking our friends and community to help us help him have the best chance at eyesight before it's too late.
Thank-you for your donation of any size, it will make a big difference to little Sam.
My family has been close friends with Sam's for many years and little Sam is actually named after my brother (big Sam). We have tried for over a year to bring Sam to Australia for treatment. Big Sam went to Papua New Guinea last year and tried to bring little Sam to Australia to commence treatment however they got as close as the airport in Port Moresby before bureaucracy saw his journey end. This time we have him in Australia together with his dad, Joe, living with our family.
We are seeking treatment for Sam, but the disease is a lot more complicated and spread than first thought. The only option is a dangerous and delicate operation performed in only two hospitals in Australia; the Neurogenetics Clinic at The Children's Hospital Westmead in Sydney and the other at the Neurofibromatosis Clinic at The Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne. We have chosen Westmead.
The neurofibroma has significant vascular involvement making it only operable by a specialist team in this field. We are in discussions with surgeons who may donate their time however, the hospital fees alone are going to cost at least $200,000.
Sam has no insurance or medical cover and the tumour has virtually claimed the vision in his right eye. It is important that this operation be performed quickly as once his eye is covered vision will be permanently lost. The other urgency relates to his self-esteem as he is already affected by the deformity which will only get worse.
As a family we have paid for little Sam and Joe to come to Australia and are paying their living expenses. We are going to pay the first $50,000 toward his medical fees, after that we need help.
Little Sam is an important person in our lives and we want to see him grow and lead a healthy life.
We are asking our friends and community to help us help him have the best chance at eyesight before it's too late.
Thank-you for your donation of any size, it will make a big difference to little Sam.
Organizer
Anne-Marie Godfrey
Organizer
Broadbeach Waters, QLD