Craig's Last Wish - Please Help
Donation protected
Craig and his wife Karyn have been survivors.
Karyn was diagnosed with Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma nine years ago when their son James was just 3 months old. After a hard two year battle, Karyn is now in remission.
Craig was diagnosed in 2011 with advanced Liver Cancer. The only hope was a new liver, however the family were advised he may not get one in time.
Craig and Karyn's longstanding family run business, Oxenford Hardware continued to be managed by Craig while he undergoing treatment and praying for the life saving liver transplant.
But another blow was to come just as the difficult decision was made to sell the business. It was announced that a multinational hardware chain would be opening directly across the road. Thus making the sale seemingly impossible due to the probable loss of trade.
May 2012, the prayers were answered. Craig was matched to a donor liver and went on to have a successful liver transplant for which the family is forever grateful.
Unfortunately a few months into Craigs post transplant recovery they needed to reinvent the business for it to survive. But the loss of trade already happening & Craig not at his optimum wasn't able to implement their new business direction with the hardware. They had no choice but to close their local hardware store , loosing their livelyhood & a loan to pay back on their business.
2013 saw Craig back in hospital for a serious Hernia operation.
Determined to provide for his family & retain the family home , he gained employment at the Gold Coast hospital & enjoyed working behind the scenes on movies such as Unbroken , San Andreas & most recently Pirates of the Caribbean.
2015 - Over the last few months Craig began to show signs of fatigue and was unable to keep any food down , resulting in a weight loss of 20 kilos which left him with malnutrician. Three weeks ago he was hospitalised and diagnosed with the worst case scenario , a second primary cancer , end stage Gastric cancer. Due to his weakened state & the advanced disease he was unable to be operated on or to receive chemotherapy treatment to slow its progression.
Craig is currently at the Palliative Care Unit at Robina Hospital on the Gold Coast where he is surrounded by loving family and friends. Craig is trying to remain positive and hopes to get home to spend time in the comfort of his home with his family.
Craig & Karyn are both originally from the Southern Highlands in N.S.W where Craig had volunteered as a fireman alongside his father at the Mittagong Fire Brigade for 15 years.
They had a dream to raise a family on the Gold Coast and both have worked hard to achieve it.
Craig now has just one wish...
To save the family home of 20 years so his wife and children, Sophia (12 yrs) and James (9 yrs) can remain close to family , friends , school and the close knit community they know and love. It is not just bricks & mortar to them but a safe haven they call home.
Craig designed a built himself a swing seat & structure in the garden as a wedding anniversary present for Karyn and a cubby & swing for the kids. All of these hold very dear memories for them.
Sophia and James are devastated to be told they will very soon lose their Daddy when he has already fought so hard.
Craig is a loving son , brother , uncle , good friend , husband and most importantly a father of two beautiful children.
Please help make his wish come true and give Craig some peace in his heart and mind as he continues on his journey.
The family will be incredibly grateful for any donation no matter how small.
One drop of water can become a river of love..
Karyn was diagnosed with Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma nine years ago when their son James was just 3 months old. After a hard two year battle, Karyn is now in remission.
Craig was diagnosed in 2011 with advanced Liver Cancer. The only hope was a new liver, however the family were advised he may not get one in time.
Craig and Karyn's longstanding family run business, Oxenford Hardware continued to be managed by Craig while he undergoing treatment and praying for the life saving liver transplant.
But another blow was to come just as the difficult decision was made to sell the business. It was announced that a multinational hardware chain would be opening directly across the road. Thus making the sale seemingly impossible due to the probable loss of trade.
May 2012, the prayers were answered. Craig was matched to a donor liver and went on to have a successful liver transplant for which the family is forever grateful.
Unfortunately a few months into Craigs post transplant recovery they needed to reinvent the business for it to survive. But the loss of trade already happening & Craig not at his optimum wasn't able to implement their new business direction with the hardware. They had no choice but to close their local hardware store , loosing their livelyhood & a loan to pay back on their business.
2013 saw Craig back in hospital for a serious Hernia operation.
Determined to provide for his family & retain the family home , he gained employment at the Gold Coast hospital & enjoyed working behind the scenes on movies such as Unbroken , San Andreas & most recently Pirates of the Caribbean.
2015 - Over the last few months Craig began to show signs of fatigue and was unable to keep any food down , resulting in a weight loss of 20 kilos which left him with malnutrician. Three weeks ago he was hospitalised and diagnosed with the worst case scenario , a second primary cancer , end stage Gastric cancer. Due to his weakened state & the advanced disease he was unable to be operated on or to receive chemotherapy treatment to slow its progression.
Craig is currently at the Palliative Care Unit at Robina Hospital on the Gold Coast where he is surrounded by loving family and friends. Craig is trying to remain positive and hopes to get home to spend time in the comfort of his home with his family.
Craig & Karyn are both originally from the Southern Highlands in N.S.W where Craig had volunteered as a fireman alongside his father at the Mittagong Fire Brigade for 15 years.
They had a dream to raise a family on the Gold Coast and both have worked hard to achieve it.
Craig now has just one wish...
To save the family home of 20 years so his wife and children, Sophia (12 yrs) and James (9 yrs) can remain close to family , friends , school and the close knit community they know and love. It is not just bricks & mortar to them but a safe haven they call home.
Craig designed a built himself a swing seat & structure in the garden as a wedding anniversary present for Karyn and a cubby & swing for the kids. All of these hold very dear memories for them.
Sophia and James are devastated to be told they will very soon lose their Daddy when he has already fought so hard.
Craig is a loving son , brother , uncle , good friend , husband and most importantly a father of two beautiful children.
Please help make his wish come true and give Craig some peace in his heart and mind as he continues on his journey.
The family will be incredibly grateful for any donation no matter how small.
One drop of water can become a river of love..
Organizer
Katrina Hillier
Organizer
Helensvale QLD
