A look into Bellas harrowing life long struggles, past, present and future, she inspires us every day.
Sunnyhills, Auckland
Bella has braved more than five hours of surgeries and more operations than most of us will face in a lifetime. She has had 5 rounds of chemotherapy, lost her hair, has a nasal gastric feeding tube, and had a port installed under her skin to connect to a vein in her neck to allow for medication and tests. Her harrowing journey is not over as her heartbroken parents and family rally to save her life.
Bella is a “real trooper, an amazing little girl who inspires us every day, - you never know when your world can change in a matter of seconds”. Bella Shepherd was born with a genetic condition called BCOR, which can affect her heart, eyes, teeth and hearing. An ultrasound at birth revealed the heart defect Atrioventricular Septal Defect which will require heart surgery before she turns 5
At 8 weeks old she had surgery to remove cataracts. Mum Kirsten Moorhead says Bella had a hard swollen tummy and tests revealed Rhabdomyosarcoma - a rare cancerous tumour. Bella now faces more chemotherapy and radiation to give her a fighting chance.
It has taken a “big toll on us all emotionally, physically, mentally especially Bella. We take things as they come, one day at a time.”
Bella’s dad Daniel had previously lost his job and Kirsten left her job to care for Bella and support Bellas' brother Jackson, 6. Costs are mounting, It takes a village to care for a child and if you are able to givealittle to help Bella’s parents they will be forever grateful. Every little bit makes a big difference.
We are two sisters who are Great Aunts to little Bella, who is the only female born in two generations on her fathers side.
General living costs, petrol - hospital visits hospital parking fees, power bills. If any surplus money we would love to invest in educational/Learning programmes, also a holiday to make her smile- And also any other medical costs that are not covered by ACC or the Public Health system
Final Update 28 November 2024
2024 has been a very difficult time for Bella and our family. At only 3 years old, she has already
been through more than most people will in their entire lives. We are so proud of our little girl's
strength, courage and always having a smile on her face. It is amazing that she is now in
remission (although still on a maintenance plan that includes chemo).
On behalf of our entire family, I would like to thank every single one of you so much for all your
support during this time. Your donations have been incredible and we are just so overwhelmed
with your generosity! Whether you donated, messaged, offered to help, shared the posts, called
or just have us in your thoughts..we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Bella is enjoying her Dance classes, her Trampoline and the online learning programme all of which are helping Bella to recover from her lost development and learning opportunities.
We have set aside some funds for her ongoing health requirements. Prior to her Cancer
diagnosis, Bella was to undergo heart surgery before the age of 5 and with this in mind, we have
managed to keep aside some funds to assist her and the family with this next journey.
Once again, thank you all for being amazing and hopefully 2025 will be a great year for us all!.
We wish you all a Happy, Healthy and Safe 2025.
Love Bella, Kirsten, Daniel, Jackson and our families
Thank you so much. All this help has made such a difference to this young family.
Thank you so much! Very generous 😊 x
Thanks so.much Gin!! Xxx
Thank you so much, that's so generous of you all!😊 xx
Thanks so much!! 😊 x
Thanks so much Sanna! So lovely of you 😊 xx
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