Amelie: tween warrior battling a rare and fast growing brain tumour

Amelie Che is a bright, kind and incredibly brave 12 year old who has recently been diagnosed with a brain tumour. She is an exceptionally talented musician, having qualified to teach piano while she was still in primary school. Amelie obtained a Diploma in Music Performance (in piano) with distinction from The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music when she was in Year 7; this is a qualification aimed at teachers, performers and directors, and she attained the highest mark in New Zealand! Unfortunately, a few months ago this gorgeous, sweet girl started to lose her balance and vision in one eye; she was then shockingly diagnosed with a brain tumour, which is currently inoperable. The formal diagnosis is a mixed germ cell tumour (germinoma and yolk sac tumour), a very rare and rapid growing brain cancer. Amelie is required to undergo chemotherapy for a period of 6 to 8 months in an effort to reduce the growth. She will also have radiotherapy.

Amelie is unable to attend school during this period. She spends between 5 to 7 days at Starship Hospital while receiving chemo, then she goes home for around 3 weeks until she returns to Starship for the next round of treatment. Amelie has been so courageous during this process. She opted to shave her hair at the start of the second round (which commenced on 8 October 2019) as she was warned that her hair would fall out. Amelie continues to smile and she is determined to beat this illness.

Amelie’s mother, Sharon and father, Tim are at her bedside through all of this and Sharon has to provide the necessary support to Amelie during the periods that she is at home. Unfortunately, the family’s financial obligations are creating additional pressure while they are dealing with this crisis. The family are originally from China and they do not have much family support in New Zealand. However, they are an integral part of the tight Hibiscus Coast community, where Amelie attended school at Wentworth Primary, then Wentworth College and for a few weeks at Whangaparaoa College before she was diagnosed. This family really needs our help and support to get them through the challenging months ahead. Your prayers, kind messages and financial contributions would make a huge difference to this lovely family.