Taisha's Journey to US
Donation protected
Taisha's journey started in March 2014 when she was diagnosed with a brain tumor (Craniopharyngioma).
She was just 16 years old when she underwent brain surgery to remove the tumour, which was 3.5cm in diameter.
Despite the best efforts of Princess Margaret Hospital's medical team, they were unable to remove all of the tumour.
Doctors told us Taisha's best chance at a normal life was Proton Therapy. This treatment, not yet available in Australia, would destroy what's left of the tumour without damaging Taisha's brain.
If Taisha, who is now 17, is instead forced to have traditional radiology in Australia, doctors say she risks life-altering side effects including blindness and uncontrollable weight gain.
We applied to the Federal Government to fund Taisha's treatment in the US, but for reasons unknown to us, our application was denied. This was the worst news we ever could have imagined.
Thankfully, the Proton Therapy Institue in Jacksonville, Florida has answered our prayers. They said they will cover the costs of Taisha's treatment as part of a medical research trial, if we can raise enough money to travel from our WA home to the US.
We are now doing everything we can to raise enough money to send Taisha and myself over to Florida for this life-changing treatment. Our beautiful daughter desperately needs this treatment. It's her only chance at a normal life.
Please help in anyway you can. Kylie xo
She was just 16 years old when she underwent brain surgery to remove the tumour, which was 3.5cm in diameter.
Despite the best efforts of Princess Margaret Hospital's medical team, they were unable to remove all of the tumour.
Doctors told us Taisha's best chance at a normal life was Proton Therapy. This treatment, not yet available in Australia, would destroy what's left of the tumour without damaging Taisha's brain.
If Taisha, who is now 17, is instead forced to have traditional radiology in Australia, doctors say she risks life-altering side effects including blindness and uncontrollable weight gain.
We applied to the Federal Government to fund Taisha's treatment in the US, but for reasons unknown to us, our application was denied. This was the worst news we ever could have imagined.
Thankfully, the Proton Therapy Institue in Jacksonville, Florida has answered our prayers. They said they will cover the costs of Taisha's treatment as part of a medical research trial, if we can raise enough money to travel from our WA home to the US.
We are now doing everything we can to raise enough money to send Taisha and myself over to Florida for this life-changing treatment. Our beautiful daughter desperately needs this treatment. It's her only chance at a normal life.
Please help in anyway you can. Kylie xo
Organizer
Kylie Burgess
Organizer
Huntingdale WA
