Bethany is 15 years old and has just been diagnosed with bone cancer. Her parents are immunocompromised and in need of support.
Auckland
Bethany is 15 years old and has just been diagnosed with bone cancer.
Sometimes, the people who deserve help the most are reluctant to ask for it. That's the kind of family Bethany comes from.
In the past four years, this low-income home has been hit by a fire, a flood, and of course a worldwide pandemic. And now, cancer. The big "C".
Bethany's mum suffers from chronic fatigue syndrome, and her dad suffers from ulcerative colitis. For the past few years, something as simple as a trip to the supermarket can leave either one of Bethany's parents on '0% battery'.
Still, they don't ask for help. They just push through, dedicating every waking moment to ensuring their three daughters have all they need to flourish.
But now, Bethany's diagnosis has shattered everything. It seemed unconscionable just last week. She was drawing realistic still lifes on her iPad, training the family's puppy "Bravo", and stepping up to help her parents sustain a busy household on low battery.
But now, she's in hospital, in constant pain from a tumour on her left arm which has grown rapidly. We won't know for a week or two what her prognosis and treatment plan look like, but the outlook is scary to say the least.
She needs round-the-clock care, and her family need support in order to provide it.
But they won't ask for it.
Let's step up and show this family that there is a community behind them, supporting them, cheering for them.
Please give what you can to support Bethany, Kristy, Mike, Kaitlyn & Elliana.
I am Bethany's uncle. We met when she was about three hours old. Her mum Kristy Cammell is my sister.
- Income relief for Bethany's parents while they care for her.
- Hospital expenses (incl. parking which is $28 for 8 hours).
- Food, phone, and transportation costs.
- Childcare costs for Bethany's sisters.
- Things that will put a smile on Bethany's face.
A hairy update from Bethany... 22 July 2024
I left the hospital for the first time in ages today… (ambulance rides don’t count 😋)
I went to Granny and Grandpa’s house for a day trip between doses of pain meds, to see my sisters Kaitlyn and Elliana, and our puppy Bravo ☺️
But not only that…
I went to have my hair cut.
For my final day with long hair, Mummy, upon my request, brought a pretty dress of mine from home to wear (Pajamas pants and a loose—possibly stained—shirt didn’t quite cut it 😋) so I could feel pretty while I still had long hair👗
Stacey, our amazing hairdresser, came and did the final, irreversible chops, as my family looked on proudly (Granny and Grandpa, Mummy and Daddy, Uncle Andrew, Aunty Hannah, Kaitlyn and Elliana), before neatening what was left of my hair into a proper hairstyle. I must say, it looked pretty weird seeing my hair lying on the bench and not on my head.
Uncle Andrew (I hope you don’t mind me sharing this) had done his hair just for me, and asked the hairdresser to shave a flower crown shape on the back of his head, that he said looked a bit more like a crown of thorns. I still liked it though. It meant a lot to me that he did it 😄
It feels strange having no hair at the back of my neck. Every time I looked in the mirror, it’s another surprise, and probably will be for a while as I get used to it.
Thank you so much everyone who helped 💕🥰
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