By JESSE GRAHAM
THE Yarra Valley Ladies in Pink are calling for help to raise $14,000 for a member’s cancer treatment, teaming up with Upper Yarra community banks to gather funds.
YVLiP, a cancer support group based in the valley announced on its Facebook page that it would be running a fund-raiser for Mount Evelyn resident Paris George to try and raise $14,000 for the cancer treatment drug Olaparib.
The drug is not currently on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), and is needed to stave off a return of Ms George’s primary peritoneal cancer – her third cancer diagnosis in the last 10 years.
Ms George said she had beaten breast and ovarian cancer in the past, and during her more recent treatment, she had an anaphylactic reaction to the chemotherapy treatment, ruling out the treatment in future.
She has been using Olaparib for the last two months, but needs to pay for her coming three months of treatment and the following three months – then she said the drug will be provided for free ongoing.
By the end of June, the group need to raise $6816 – and then raise the same sum three months down the track.
Donations through GoFundMe and the YVLiP have raised about $2000 towards the drug, but the group is now appealing for residents to help out, opening an account at the Seville Bendigo Community Bank.
Ms George said she was told that, after that, the drug will be provided free until it’s listed on the PBS.
YVLiP member, Judy Sturt, said that residents had been forthcoming with donations, but that the Ladies in Pink were hoping to keep the momentum going over June to get Ms George over the line.
“It doesn’t matter how big or small, that’s what I put on the Facebook,” Ms Sturt said.
“Even five dollars – it builds up,” Ms George added.
Donations can be made at Seville or Wandin’s Community Bank branches, by mentioning the Yarra Valley Fundraiser for Paris.
For more information, visit the Yarra Valley Ladies in Pink Facebook page.
