
Ari's Army
Donation protected
This is a call to recruit soldiers into Ari’s Army. Ari, just shy of three years old, is the fun-loving, charismatic, clever and sweet daughter of Rae and Josh McLeod.
On Sunday 22 September, Ari began her fight with a brain tumour the size of an apricot. The only real signs anything was the matter, was an occasional vomit and general unwellness. Ari’s little brain had been retaining fluid due to the tumour blocking her brain’s natural drainage system. This alone was a very dangerous situation. The hospital took Ari into surgery immediately on the evening of 22 September in order to drain the fluid from her brain. From there Ari has been in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit for seven days with Rae and Josh by her side every moment. In this time, Ari has undergone a long complex brain surgery to remove as much of the brain tumour and 80% was removed. The remaining tumour cannot be touched due to its close proximity to Ari’s brain stem.
Rae and Josh have waited and waited by their daughter’s side for her to wake up after her brain surgery. Ari has shown immense bravery for a two year old, she is a true fighter and will no doubt continue to be, but she needs our help. Her pathology results confirm Ari has an ependymoma and will require chemotherapy. The immediate focus is Ari’s long road ahead of physical rehab to enable recovery of her eye sight, motor skills and speech after her brain surgery. Ari needs an army to rally behind her and take away any stresses her and her family are dealing with so they can concentrate solely on Ari. Any money raised will go towards Ari’s medical needs and to keep Rae and Josh with Ari always. Beyond everything going on, Rae is 20 weeks pregnant with her second child and Josh was due to start a new job on Monday 30 September. Navigating such circumstances is so difficult at the best of times, despite the enormity of the challenges they are facing, they are standing steadfastly by each other and are a true inspiration.
Ari, Rae and Josh have a long-term war to wage but they will take it one battle at a time and there is power in numbers. So, for my dear friend Rae, and her beautiful family, I ask, please give what you can to help this growing family get through the financial hardship a little easier, allowing them to focus on what is truly important, their precious Ari.
Thank you.






On Sunday 22 September, Ari began her fight with a brain tumour the size of an apricot. The only real signs anything was the matter, was an occasional vomit and general unwellness. Ari’s little brain had been retaining fluid due to the tumour blocking her brain’s natural drainage system. This alone was a very dangerous situation. The hospital took Ari into surgery immediately on the evening of 22 September in order to drain the fluid from her brain. From there Ari has been in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit for seven days with Rae and Josh by her side every moment. In this time, Ari has undergone a long complex brain surgery to remove as much of the brain tumour and 80% was removed. The remaining tumour cannot be touched due to its close proximity to Ari’s brain stem.
Rae and Josh have waited and waited by their daughter’s side for her to wake up after her brain surgery. Ari has shown immense bravery for a two year old, she is a true fighter and will no doubt continue to be, but she needs our help. Her pathology results confirm Ari has an ependymoma and will require chemotherapy. The immediate focus is Ari’s long road ahead of physical rehab to enable recovery of her eye sight, motor skills and speech after her brain surgery. Ari needs an army to rally behind her and take away any stresses her and her family are dealing with so they can concentrate solely on Ari. Any money raised will go towards Ari’s medical needs and to keep Rae and Josh with Ari always. Beyond everything going on, Rae is 20 weeks pregnant with her second child and Josh was due to start a new job on Monday 30 September. Navigating such circumstances is so difficult at the best of times, despite the enormity of the challenges they are facing, they are standing steadfastly by each other and are a true inspiration.
Ari, Rae and Josh have a long-term war to wage but they will take it one battle at a time and there is power in numbers. So, for my dear friend Rae, and her beautiful family, I ask, please give what you can to help this growing family get through the financial hardship a little easier, allowing them to focus on what is truly important, their precious Ari.
Thank you.






Organizer and beneficiary
Marie Azar
Organizer
Yallambie, VIC
Rae McLeod
Beneficiary