Back to page

💛 Help Us Fight for Melinke — Give Her Another Chance

  • 💛 Melinke’s Weekend Update – Making Memories 💛

      18 October 2026
    Main image

    What a busy and special weekend for our girl! 🥰

    On Saturday, we attended the Country Show Day, where Melinke enjoyed looking at all the different stalls and making her very own keychain. 🗝️✨ It was lovely to see her enjoying herself and taking in all the little things.

    On Sunday night, we had the incredible opportunity to attend the Silver Ferns vs Australian Diamonds netball game! 🏐💚💛 The vibe was absolutely incredible, and the energy in the arena was something special! What an amazing experience for Melinke and our family. 🥹💛

    With everything our girl has been going through, these moments mean more to us than words can explain. Every outing, every smile and every opportunity to make memories together is something we treasure deeply.

    Life has changed so much since Melinke’s diagnosis, and we never take these moments for granted. We know that not every day is easy, which makes the good days and special experiences even more precious.

    We are so grateful for the people who continue to show Melinke love, kindness and support, and for the opportunities that allow her to experience these beautiful moments. 💛🙏🏼

    One day at a time, one memory at a time, and always holding on to hope. 🎗️💛

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • 💛 Melinke’s Journey – Challenges, Peace & Answered Prayers 💛

      16 October 2026

    This week has been another emotional rollercoaster for our family.

    On Sunday afternoon, Melinke was admitted to hospital with a fever and vomiting. Thankfully, she was discharged on Monday and came home to us. 🙏🏼💛

    While undergoing radiation, Melinke is taking Dexamethasone to reduce swelling in her brain. Although important, steroids can cause difficult behavioural and mood changes, something we experienced firsthand last year.

    But over the past few days, we have noticed something different. 💛 Melinke has been extremely calm, and our home has felt a peace we cannot put into words.

    After so much fighting, screaming and emotional challenges, this calmness means more than anyone could imagine. It has been heartbreaking and exhausting for Melinke and our entire family.

    We don't know what tomorrow will bring, and we know difficult days may still lie ahead. But right now, we are grateful for this little pocket of peace.

    Our prayers have been heard and answered. 🙏🏼 We believe God has His hand over Melinke, carrying her through every moment of this journey. Even when we don't understand, we continue to trust Him.

    Thank you to everyone praying for Melinke, sending love and supporting our family. Your kindness means more than words can express.

    Today, we choose hope, gratitude and faith, one day at a time, one prayer at a time, and one moment of peace at a time. 💛✨

    With love and gratitude,

    Melinke’s family 🙏🏼💛

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • An update on our beautiful Melinke ❤️

      6 October 2026

    It is so hard to explain to people how things are going with Melinke right now, because what we see physically and what we hear in her words can feel so different.

    There are some small positives we are holding onto. Her appetite has increased, and she is eating quite well at the moment, which we are incredibly grateful for. The steroids are helping with her appetite and giving her some much-needed strength.

    But the steroids also come with a very difficult side effect. They can cause severe emotional outbursts and changes in behaviour, and this has been incredibly hard for Melinke and for all of us as a family. One moment she can be herself, and the next she can become extremely upset, angry or overwhelmed. We know this is not our Melinke choosing to behave this way — it is part of what her body and brain are going through, made harder by the medication.

    Her ability to communicate is also becoming increasingly difficult. Her words are changing, her physical abilities are changing, and every day feels uncertain. It is heartbreaking to watch your child go through this while trying to hold onto hope and remain strong for her.

    We are taking things one day, and sometimes one hour, at a time.

    Thank you to everyone who has donated, shared our story, prayed for Melinke and supported our family. Every message, every prayer and every donation means more to us than we can put into words.

    Please continue to share Melinke’s story. We are not ready to give up fighting for our girl. ❤️

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • ❤️ A little update on Melinke ❤️

      24 September 2026

    First, we want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has donated, shared, prayed, and supported our family so far. Every donation, no matter the amount, means more to us than we can put into words. You are helping us keep fighting for our beautiful girl. 🙏❤️

    Sadly, things aren’t going so well at the moment. 💔

    Melinke is becoming weaker and is now unable to eat or drink. All of her medication has had to be changed to liquid form, as she is struggling to swallow. She is currently receiving her nutrition through her feeding tube.

    We are taking things one day at a time and holding onto every bit of hope we have. Her second round of radiation is starting September 28th, and we pray it will bring her some relief.

    At the same time, we are still waiting to hear back from hospitals in the USA and China regarding potential treatment options, including the possibility of CAR-T cell therapy. We are desperately trying to find every possible option for our daughter.

    Please continue to pray for Melinke. 🙏❤️ And if you can, please keep sharing her story and our fundraising page. Every donation and every share could help us get closer to giving her another chance.

    Thank you for standing beside us and fighting with us for Melinke. ❤️

      1 comment  |  Login to leave a comment

    • 28/09/2026 by Sasha

      Sending you lots of love and positivity ❤️ from the Puckey/Saunders family xx