Aria Job's battle with HLH - keeping a family together

Most of you know Jack & Maria Job and their little tribe of 5.

Some of you are aware that last week Aria, the youngest at only 3yrs old was admitted to Starship Hospital with an undiagnosed illness.

This week it has come to light that Aria is now looking down a long road to recovery and is battling HLH.

HLH is a rare disease that is extremely hard to diagnose. With this comes tests, more tests and ultimately a little girl who is being pulled through what no parent or whanau member should have to experience. This disease is relentless and will be a huge battle for Aria, Jack and Maria along with the other 4 kids to go through. HLH is a blood disorder that causes the immune system to go into overdrive and in Arias case impacting heavily on her liver, spleen and blood cells. The cause started as a virus and escalated into what Aria is fighting - HLH (Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis).

Treatment is a gamble with various medications given with the reactions monitored - some days are more difficult than others for Aria she is reacting slowly to the medications and is fighting the battle like the little trooper she is.

With the distance of home (Kaitaia) and Starship - it can be an unthought-of burden of 'who is paying the bills' especially when you are self employed and a family of 7!

So here we are! We are not asking for a limb - just anything you can to help Jack and Maria see though the hardship and shine a little light on what is every parents worst nightmare.