Tony gained his angel wings on 21 September 2026 at 5:45pm. He was just 36 years old.

I never imagined I would have to rewrite this fundraiser.

When I first created this page, I was asking for help for my little sister Cassy, her husband Tony and their family as they fought desperately to get Tony treatment for stage 4 cancer.

We found out on Friday 28 August that Tony had stage 4 bowel cancer.

Within weeks, everything changed.

The cancer had spread to his colon, pancreas and liver. His condition deteriorated so quickly that treatment was no longer possible. Palliative care was brought in, and the focus changed from trying to save his life to making sure he was comfortable and surrounded by the people he loved.

On Monday 21 September at 5:45pm, Tony passed away peacefully with his family.

He was 36 years old.

A husband.

A dad.

A stepdad.

A brother.

A son.

A friend.

And a man who should have had decades more with the people who loved him.

Tony and Cassy had only celebrated their first wedding anniversary earlier this month.

They should have been planning their future together.

Instead, Cassy is now facing a future she never imagined, raising nine children and grieving the loss of her husband while trying to keep their family together.

So the purpose of this fundraiser has changed.

We are no longer raising money to help Tony access treatment.

We are raising money to help Cassy and the children through what comes next.

Because the financial impact of losing Tony doesn't disappear because he is gone.

Tony was the family's primary income earner.

Cassy has been the person caring for their children and keeping their home and family running.

Now she is grieving her husband while facing the reality of supporting their children without him.

There will be funeral and memorial costs.

There will be household bills.

There will be food, school, transport and everyday expenses for nine children.

There will be time away from work and the practical costs that come with grief.

And there will be expenses none of us can predict yet.

Most importantly, Cassy needs time.

Time to grieve.

Time to be with her children.

Time to help them understand a world that changed overnight.

Time to say goodbye to her husband.

Time to work out what life looks like now.

Cassy has spent so much of her life being the person who shows up for everyone else.

When our Nan had cancer, she cared for her.

When people needed somewhere safe, she made room.

When someone needed help, she was there.

She has spent years putting other people first.

Now she needs us to show up for her.

Where your donations will go

Funds raised will now help support Cassy and the children with:

• Funeral and memorial expenses

• Household bills and essential living costs

• Food and everyday expenses for the children

• School and transport costs

• Loss of Tony's household income

• Housing and family commitments

• Grief and bereavement related expenses

• Unexpected costs as the family adjusts to life without Tony

Every donation, regardless of the amount, will help take some of the financial pressure away from a family who is already carrying more than anyone should have to.

If you donated previously, thank you.

If you shared this fundraiser, thank you.

If you have sent Cassy a message, checked in, prayed for Tony or simply thought about this family, thank you.

And if you are seeing this for the first time, please know that sharing this fundraiser is just as valuable as donating.

We are also holding a fundraiser trivia night in Melbourne on Friday 2 October at Bumblebeez Werribee, with tickets $20 each or tables of 6–8. Tickets for this can be purchased at: https://www.eventbookings.com/b/event/trivia-night-at-bumble-beez-fundraiser-for-one-of-our-own?fbclid=IwY2xjawUfQGlwZG9mBWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR6sx840OkIp_-UkAegGAcZrsw-WNqLt4Ug9HbdcdNURkaoKo8IhC0kksmLd2Q_aem_GffXPOO_QAwUSaqzMMghPg

There will be Trivia, silent auctions, door prizes, trivia prizes, and more with all proceeds going towards supporting Cassy and the children.

If you are in Melbourne and can come along, we would love to see you there.

But more than anything, we need this family to know they are not alone.

Tony spent his final weeks surrounded by love.

Now we need to surround Cassy and the children with that same love.

This is no longer about fighting cancer.

It is about helping a family survive the aftermath of losing someone they love.

Cassy has spent her life saying:

“I’ll be there.”

“You can stay with me.”

“I’ll help.”

Now it is our turn.

Now we say:

“I’ll help.”

“I’ll be there.”

“You don't have to do this alone.”

With all my love,

Kirsten

Cassy's sister