Donation protected
We set out to support Amanda Murphy, a young mother battling breast cancer, with the hope that we could reduce the financial burden facing her and her young family. The support has been overwhelming. It demonstrated how a community can band together when one of their own is in a time of need.
While overwhelmed with gratitude, it also made the Murphy’s realise that many young women do not have access to the incredible support and community that we have seen since launching this fundraiser. Amanda recognises that she is not alone in fighting cancer and has made it clear that she would like to now shift focus to others by supporting two charities of her choosing; Young Pink Sisters and Mummy’s Wish . From now on (5 April), all donations received will be split and contributed to these two amazing charities.
A message from Amanda - 5 April 2020
“First and foremost I want to say how humbled and beyond grateful I am, to everyone who donated and sent messages to Ryan and myself. The shock hearing, “you have cancer,” is enough to put someone in a mental state, but this experience has come with so many additional unforeseen hardships.
I wish it were a walk along the beach, through a tunnel of popping champagne bottles, however, it hasn’t been that peachy. The physical game I was preparing for, but the mental journey has been the challenge. These two things I thought were enough to deal with, but then the financial stress was an extra bonus. We were going into this battle pretty much living off of Ryan’s pay-check week to week, without a second income to pay bills and extra medical expenses; so again, I cannot thank everyone enough for your contributions. Looking at the year ahead, your donations will help us get through these times.
The support we’ve received from all of you, our friends, and family, has been overwhelming and we can’t help feel the need to pay it forward to those battling this disease and dealing with financial hardship. We can’t believe how many donations came in… We’re shocked that the goal was met so fast!. From this moment on, any donations that are received and any money we do not need will go to Mummy’s Wish and Young Pink Sisters.
Mummy’s Wish provides support for mothers who have children 12 years and under. Young Pink Sisters provides women under the age of 50 that are diagnosed with breast cancer, financial help with medical expenses. There are so many charities and organizations out there that are amazing and also provide the support and research aspect. However, I was looking for more of a community and a means to help women with a similar situation.
The boys plan to continue the fundraising efforts for these charities by running the Gold Coast Marathon in July. There are so many young women fighting this fight without generous friends and families like ours. Let’s keep the ball rolling and help out some women that really need it.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your love and support.”
Amanda
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Initial fundraiser)
Support for Amanda’s battle with Breast Cancer
All too often we find ourselves talking about the devastating impact that cancer has had on someone near to us and, yet again, here we are.
We’re here to band together and raise money to support the beautiful Amanda Murphy, who has been diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer and is undertaking the fight of her life. Amanda has commenced intensive chemotherapy which will go on for several months. Being the mother of 3-year-old Isla, 4-year-old Levi and wife of Ryan, needless to say that this is the equal of any challenge that anyone can face.
In addition to the mental, emotional and physical impact that comes with battling this terrible disease, Amanda and her young family are facing a significant financial impact due to Amanda’s loss of income, growing medical expenses, additional resources required for her care at home and many more unforeseen expenses that will continue to arise. Contributions of any size will assist Amanda and her family to minimise the huge financial burden that they are currently facing.
Diagnosis
A few weeks ago Amanda’s world was thrown upside down when she received her diagnosis. A cancer diagnosis is anyone’s worst nightmare, and being a fit and healthy 34-year-old mother has made it especially harrowing.
Six months prior, Amanda sought professional assessment of a lump that she identified in her breast. The consultation resulted in Amanda being advised that it was nothing of concern. This advice was based on a physical analysis, as well as being in the ‘under-40s’ low risk category with an impeccable history of health.
Fast-forward a few months and Amanda’s intuition brought her to seek a secondary assessment. This is when the horrible reality was confirmed following a core biopsy. Further tests determined the cancer type to be triple-negative, a type considered to be more aggressive and have a poorer prognosis than other types of breast cancer. It was found to be “regionalised”, meaning the cancer had grown beyond the original (primary) tumor to nearby lymph nodes or organs and tissues.
In Amanda’s case, it was found to be in her Axillary lymph nodes. While only visible in the two locations, given the difficulty of prognosis, there is no guarantee that the cancer has or will not spread to other parts of Amanda’s body, only adding to this already traumatic experience.
Treatment
Due to the regionalisation and aggression of this type of cancer, along with the risk of further unidentified spreading, a more straightforward surgical treatment was not an option. It meant an urgent and intensive chemotherapy process was required, which has been underway since late February. An approach of “go-hard and frequently” to the chemotherapy was considered to be the best option due to Amanda’s young age, good health and strength. This approach has led to a much tougher, physically-demanding experience for Amanda. Some days are better than others, but there are often days when it is too much for her to spend more than a few minutes out of bed at any given time.
Amanda’s strong will and courage is unrivalled, there is no doubting that, but the intensity of her chemotherapy program is something that will continue to be a gruelling endeavour, both physically and mentally.
Amanda, Ryan, Levi and Isla are beyond thankful for your support, no matter the size. We will share updates throughout Amanda’s journey including the positive impact that your support has contributed.
Amanda’s hope, based on her personal experience, is an increased awareness amongst younger women - no matter of family history, health or ‘risk profile’.
If you would like to learn more about breast cancer, please check out the following links for Australian-based sources of information.
Resources:
https://www.bcna.org.au/
https://nbcf.org.au/
https://www.canceraustralia.gov.au/
https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/breast-cancer/
About the organisers and the fundraiser
We are Kenta Shimizu and Ricky Willis, close friends of Amanda and Ryan. We both reside in Northern NSW. Funds raised will primarily be used to assist with growing costs that Ryan and Amanda are facing for Amanda's care as well as to alleviate Amanda's loss of income. With Amanda and Ryan already out of pocket we will be transferring funds directly to them. Costs will continue grow over the coming weeks and months and we will share specific details of how funds are being used as Amanda's treatment and journey continues.
While overwhelmed with gratitude, it also made the Murphy’s realise that many young women do not have access to the incredible support and community that we have seen since launching this fundraiser. Amanda recognises that she is not alone in fighting cancer and has made it clear that she would like to now shift focus to others by supporting two charities of her choosing; Young Pink Sisters and Mummy’s Wish . From now on (5 April), all donations received will be split and contributed to these two amazing charities.
A message from Amanda - 5 April 2020
“First and foremost I want to say how humbled and beyond grateful I am, to everyone who donated and sent messages to Ryan and myself. The shock hearing, “you have cancer,” is enough to put someone in a mental state, but this experience has come with so many additional unforeseen hardships.
I wish it were a walk along the beach, through a tunnel of popping champagne bottles, however, it hasn’t been that peachy. The physical game I was preparing for, but the mental journey has been the challenge. These two things I thought were enough to deal with, but then the financial stress was an extra bonus. We were going into this battle pretty much living off of Ryan’s pay-check week to week, without a second income to pay bills and extra medical expenses; so again, I cannot thank everyone enough for your contributions. Looking at the year ahead, your donations will help us get through these times.
The support we’ve received from all of you, our friends, and family, has been overwhelming and we can’t help feel the need to pay it forward to those battling this disease and dealing with financial hardship. We can’t believe how many donations came in… We’re shocked that the goal was met so fast!. From this moment on, any donations that are received and any money we do not need will go to Mummy’s Wish and Young Pink Sisters.
Mummy’s Wish provides support for mothers who have children 12 years and under. Young Pink Sisters provides women under the age of 50 that are diagnosed with breast cancer, financial help with medical expenses. There are so many charities and organizations out there that are amazing and also provide the support and research aspect. However, I was looking for more of a community and a means to help women with a similar situation.
The boys plan to continue the fundraising efforts for these charities by running the Gold Coast Marathon in July. There are so many young women fighting this fight without generous friends and families like ours. Let’s keep the ball rolling and help out some women that really need it.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your love and support.”
Amanda
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Initial fundraiser)
Support for Amanda’s battle with Breast Cancer
All too often we find ourselves talking about the devastating impact that cancer has had on someone near to us and, yet again, here we are.
We’re here to band together and raise money to support the beautiful Amanda Murphy, who has been diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer and is undertaking the fight of her life. Amanda has commenced intensive chemotherapy which will go on for several months. Being the mother of 3-year-old Isla, 4-year-old Levi and wife of Ryan, needless to say that this is the equal of any challenge that anyone can face.
In addition to the mental, emotional and physical impact that comes with battling this terrible disease, Amanda and her young family are facing a significant financial impact due to Amanda’s loss of income, growing medical expenses, additional resources required for her care at home and many more unforeseen expenses that will continue to arise. Contributions of any size will assist Amanda and her family to minimise the huge financial burden that they are currently facing.
Diagnosis
A few weeks ago Amanda’s world was thrown upside down when she received her diagnosis. A cancer diagnosis is anyone’s worst nightmare, and being a fit and healthy 34-year-old mother has made it especially harrowing.
Six months prior, Amanda sought professional assessment of a lump that she identified in her breast. The consultation resulted in Amanda being advised that it was nothing of concern. This advice was based on a physical analysis, as well as being in the ‘under-40s’ low risk category with an impeccable history of health.
Fast-forward a few months and Amanda’s intuition brought her to seek a secondary assessment. This is when the horrible reality was confirmed following a core biopsy. Further tests determined the cancer type to be triple-negative, a type considered to be more aggressive and have a poorer prognosis than other types of breast cancer. It was found to be “regionalised”, meaning the cancer had grown beyond the original (primary) tumor to nearby lymph nodes or organs and tissues.
In Amanda’s case, it was found to be in her Axillary lymph nodes. While only visible in the two locations, given the difficulty of prognosis, there is no guarantee that the cancer has or will not spread to other parts of Amanda’s body, only adding to this already traumatic experience.
Treatment
Due to the regionalisation and aggression of this type of cancer, along with the risk of further unidentified spreading, a more straightforward surgical treatment was not an option. It meant an urgent and intensive chemotherapy process was required, which has been underway since late February. An approach of “go-hard and frequently” to the chemotherapy was considered to be the best option due to Amanda’s young age, good health and strength. This approach has led to a much tougher, physically-demanding experience for Amanda. Some days are better than others, but there are often days when it is too much for her to spend more than a few minutes out of bed at any given time.
Amanda’s strong will and courage is unrivalled, there is no doubting that, but the intensity of her chemotherapy program is something that will continue to be a gruelling endeavour, both physically and mentally.
Amanda, Ryan, Levi and Isla are beyond thankful for your support, no matter the size. We will share updates throughout Amanda’s journey including the positive impact that your support has contributed.
Amanda’s hope, based on her personal experience, is an increased awareness amongst younger women - no matter of family history, health or ‘risk profile’.
If you would like to learn more about breast cancer, please check out the following links for Australian-based sources of information.
Resources:
https://www.bcna.org.au/
https://nbcf.org.au/
https://www.canceraustralia.gov.au/
https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/breast-cancer/
About the organisers and the fundraiser
We are Kenta Shimizu and Ricky Willis, close friends of Amanda and Ryan. We both reside in Northern NSW. Funds raised will primarily be used to assist with growing costs that Ryan and Amanda are facing for Amanda's care as well as to alleviate Amanda's loss of income. With Amanda and Ryan already out of pocket we will be transferring funds directly to them. Costs will continue grow over the coming weeks and months and we will share specific details of how funds are being used as Amanda's treatment and journey continues.
Co-organizers (2)
Ricky Willis
Organizer
Billinudgel, NSW
Kenta Shimizu
Co-organizer