Help Aleck fight a brain tumour

We kindly ask for your help in supporting Aleck a 52 year old husband, father, brother, uncle, as he bravely fights a brain tumour. Aleck is diagnosed with a rare brain tumour (craniopharyngioma) that constitutes 1% of all brain tumour cases. He is affectionately known as the ‘joke cracker’ due to his constant ability to make others laugh. Aleck needs financial support to help him travel abroad for specialized surgery to remove the tumour.

The doctors believe the tumour may have been developing for several years without showing symptoms before Aleck sought medical attention due to memory and vision loss, episodes of nausea, and persistent headaches. He had his first operation in his home country, where two ventriculoperitoneal shunts were installed to relieve the pressure and fluid buildup in his brain caused by the tumour. Unfortunately, his blood pressure started rising during the surgery, forcing the doctors to call off surgery without inserting a third shunt on the tumour. As a result of the latter, the tumour remained untouched. Aleck's symptoms receded post-surgery, but within a week, they returned worse, including uncontrollable impulses, episodes of extreme hunger, urinary tract problems, and deteriorating cognitive, memory, and sensory-motor abilities.

The family contributed to cover the costs associated with his initial surgery in Zimbabwe, which amounted to 12,500 AUD (on a payment plan). There have been and continue to be other non-medical daily living expenses that need to be covered for Aleck's wife and children, as he is their primary breadwinner and is currently unable to work.

Due to the complexity of the procedure to remove the tumour located in the middle of the brain, the family has chosen to give him the best possible chance by having his second surgery abroad, where specialised equipment and expertise are readily available to remove the tumour. After reviewing Aleck's medical records, the foreign surgeons we have consulted have expressed hopes for a successful treatment and have offered pricing estimates for this high risk surgery (excluding logistical costs) that range from 24,000 AUD to 44,000 AUD and we have unfortunately found ourselves in financial need. It is heartbreaking to witness Aleck’s health deteriorate from a condition for which there is treatment and watch as his family endures the physical, psychological, and emotional effects of the condition due to a lack of financial resources.

As we continue to pay for his first surgery costs and look after his family, we kindly ask for donations to urgently raise 23,000 AUD to be broken down as shown in chart above. A positive outcome will benefit him and his family and give hope to anyone with this rare disease. We are grateful for any amount you may be able to pass on, no matter how small. It would also be helpful to share this with your family, friends, or social media platforms, understanding that some may not be able to contribute financially.