A Launching Place family’s plea for support has seen over $100,000 raised in two weeks after their four-year-old daughter was diagnosed with an extremely rare form of brain cancer.
The life of little four-year-old Charlie Fraser turned upside down on 17 October when what started as a routine eye test quickly turned into every parent’s worst nightmare.
The cancer was revealed to be a hyper-aggressive, extremely rare form of brain cancer, with Charlie being the third case in 15 years.
But hope is on the horizon – the cancer can be cured by an intense treatment of high-dose chemotherapy and more surgery only available in Florida, USA.
Charlie’s father Daniel Fraser said the support shown by the community was incredible and the money donated will help pay for the expensive treatment overseas
“We’ve had overwhelming support through GoFundMe, friends and family.
“There’s people that we have no idea who they are, where they’re from, who’ve reached out. We can’t fathom the gratefulness we have for everyone,” Mr Fraser said.
It’s not just the financial support which has been crucial though, as Mr Fraser and his partner Kate Fraser grapple with caring for Charlie’s younger brother, two-year-old Jack.
“Just trying to juggle that care everyday is difficult,” he said.
“Our families have been our rocks, and we haven’t had to worry about too much at home.
“All the sisters and mother-in-laws and mums, they’ve baked, they’ve cooked, they’ve cleaned, they’ve helped look after Jack, the younger brother, just while we’ve been able to focus on Charlie.”
The Mount Evelyn Cricket Club said in a statement one of its “favourite, most loyal families” were going through hardship and needed the community’s help.
“Charlie Fraser is fighting a tough health battle at the moment that is requiring the utmost love, effort and time that Dan and Kate can dedicate to supporting Charlie,” the statement read.
“This of course means time away from work and upcoming challenges to provide the beat care for her to fight this battle in true Fraser spirit.
“For now, we are all sending our love, best wishes and support to the Frasers.”
The Mount Evelyn Cricket Club are hosting a fundraiser for Charlie where a twenty-twenty cricket match will be played between Mount Evelyn and Powelltown.
The event takes place on Sunday 7 December at the Mount Evelyn Recreation Reserve from 11am.
During the eye check appointment, Mr Fraser said pressure on the back of Charlie’s eye was the first hint of something terribly wrong.
“We got sent to the Royal Children’s [Hospital] to get it double checked and then sure enough, after a brain scan, it showed that there was a mass on her head of nine centimetres by seven centimetres.”
Immediately, Charlie had two surgeries, multiple blood transfusions and spent three days in the intensive care unit.
“It was probably about four or five days later after the brain surgery that the results came back to say that it was this rare type of cancer.”
The discovery was “gut wrenching” for the entire family.
“Your world’s shattered when you look at your beautiful little daughter and only a week prior, she was running around, like nothing had happened.”
But in spite of everything, Mr Fraser said Charlie’s a “trooper” who still shows her cheeky side.
“She’s being cheeky. She’s tickling dad and mum.
“No matter how tough it’s been or how sick she’s been, she’s always willing to put a smile on her face and be cheeky,” Mr Fraser said.
After waking up from a surgery with a collapsed lung and a case of pneumonia, she still found the strength to be her cheeky self, tickling her dad’s neck and asking for sushi.
He described her as a “loving and caring girl who always wants a cuddle and is always happy to give you a kiss.”
It was hard for Mr Fraser and Ms Fraser to tell Jack why Charlie can’t be home, playing cricket in the backyard of their house in Launching Place.
He said it’s been tough to break the news to Jack.
“I suppose for him understanding that situation is probably pretty hard, but he’s a tough little bugger as well and he’s coping alright.
“We don’t know the right answers but we’re not going to shy away from what the situation is because it’s going to be different for him,” Mr Fraser said.
It’s a long road ahead for the family, but Charlie’s parents are focused on giving her the best shot she has.
“That’s all we’re about, we want to give her the best opportunity so that’s what we’re doing.”
In the end, all Jack wants is to be able to play with his older sister again.
“He just wants to kiss Charlie’s head better and make it better.”
