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David Westwood's Huge Battle

$34,239 donated
Given by 347 generous donors in 8 weeks

Little David is fighting rare complications of the disease Neurofibromatosis Type One. Parents Lucy and Stephen need to be with him 24/7.

Auckland

In 2009 Lucy Bennett celebrated 5 years clear of nasal pharengeal carcinoma cancer. She did this by organising and performing in a concert to raise money to pay for the colourful ceiling panels in the radiotherapy room at Auckland hospital. Now when people are undergoing treatment they can look up and see beautiful scenes of tropical palm canopies and imagine they are there. That is the kind of woman Lucy is.

At that celebration Lucy dreamed a dream that she was told was impossible. She wanted to fall in love and she wanted to make a family. Doctors told her that her “reproductive window was closed” but she mustered her faith and decided that she was going to make it happen!

Amazingly she met Stephen Westwood and they fell in love. Incredibly they got pregnant very quickly. On the 19th June 2013 David Westwood was born 6.5 weeks premature. It was a dramatic start to his life but David was a fighter from the start. He slowly but surely regained his strength and grew and grew into good health.

Fast forward two and a half years and this happy family has just been hit with a bombshell. On Saturday 23rd January David was rushed to Starship with a stroke and has a benign tumour behind his eye. But these are just rare symptoms of a condition called Neurofibromatosis Type One.

This little fighter has an enormous journey ahead. First up he has to have vascular surgeries to his brain to increase the blood flow. Then he may need chemotherapy for the tumours (one behind the eye and one in the middle of his brain). There will be ongoing physiotherapy over the next year to help regain movement all down his left side. So there are big battles ahead and he needs our support.

Lucy and Stephen need to be with David full time to meet his needs and monitor his strokes and seizures, including long periods in Auckland's Starship hospital. Lucy has had to give up her position as a drama teacher at Long Bay College, while Stephen is seeking marketing work, after his previous contract ended in February. Neither has left David's side except to take turns to sleep. David understandably wants mum and dad with him as he copes with his lack of movement and all the various tubes coming out of his body. He has had a second lot of strokes and the doctors have told Lucy and Stephen that this particular condition (moyamoya) is so rare that all they can do is hope.

We are Lucy, Stephen and David’s friends and we know how much they have contributed to our lives and the lives of others. Lucy is a schoolteacher and has had to stop work. Stephen has completed a contract and is trying to find time to set up the next one. Both Lucy and Stephen have barely left David's side except to take turns to sleep and this is unlikely to change in a hurry. Given what’s ahead there is going to be huge financial stress on them at a time when they need to be supporting their two year old.

This fundraiser is to raise money to cover their basic costs, mortgage, bills and medical expenses over the coming tough year so they can stay afloat and focus on David’s recovery through two major brain surgeries, chemo and physio. (it could take up to 18 months) Any amount is welcomed and hugely appreciated. All money raised will go directly to Lucy, Stephen and David.

These guys are fantastic people and they have a great little family. Please join us in supporting them over these coming months in 2016 and make the road a little less daunting.

Anna Marbrook's involvement (page creator)

I am involved because I want to support this wonderful family to do everything possible to help David recover. At this time financial stress is the last thing they need.

Latest update

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Post op. update  25 March 2016

Givealittle Update 24 March:

David has had the first of his two major EDAS surgeries on Tuesday 22nd March. The procedure was successful and we are so thankful to the surgeons for their incredible skill and care with an intricate procedure. Surgery took 5 hours and we were so relieved to get the phone call that he had woken up. His first word was "Cuddles" which was a fantastic moment as we have had to be with him 24/7 for the last month to monitor him and ensure he was stable enough to even have the operation - so it was our first mission to get him to the surgeons. Phew!

David is currently recovering in the paediatric intensive care ward and will be there for several more days. He has had a very rough few days/nights and is not looking and feeling the best - to say the least! He is now smiling, playing and giving us all instructions which is great to see after all he has been through.

David will be in hospital for awhile for treatment and some more tests before being discharged to recuperate at home and begin physiotherapy and rehab. Then his clinical care team will begin planning his ongoing treatment for the rest of the year.

We want to thank everyone so very much for all your support, love, prayers, chants, kind words/thoughts and good vibes! Your generosity is overwhelming and allows us to focus on the care and recovery of our precious little David. It has helped so much to know that you have been along side us all the way! THANKS.

Lucy & Stephen & David Xxxx

PS: There is a Woman's Day article about David coming out very soon so look out of that.

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Latest donations

Alan Cotter
Alan Cotter on 19 Apr 2016
$40
Giovanni
Giovanni on 15 Apr 2016
I send you much love and wishes for a great recovery and healing. Go little great man David! Huge hugs to the three of you. I hold you in my heart.
$250
JimiLotus
JimiLotus on 12 Apr 2016
$50
Toby
Toby on 12 Apr 2016
Private
Sarah Macombee
Sarah Macombee on 12 Apr 2016
Our hearts are with you. So glad to have this opportunity to help. Thank you xxx
Private

Who's involved?

Lucy Bennett's avatar
Paying to a verified bank account of Lucy Bennett on behalf of David Westwood and Stephen Westwood and Lucy Bennett
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This campaign started on 20 Feb 2016 and ended on 19 Apr 2016.