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<div>Lukas is a bright, cheeky and incredibly brave five-year-old who loves making people smile. He faces every day with a strength and resilience far beyond his years, and despite everything he has endured, he continues to show us what it means to be courageous.
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<div>At just 2½ years old, our world changed forever when Lukas was diagnosed with <strong>four high-grade brain tumours.</strong>
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<div>Since that day, he has spent much of his childhood in hospitals rather than playgrounds. While other children his age have been enjoying carefree adventures, Lukas has endured multiple brain surgeries, intensive chemotherapy, countless scans and procedures, blood tests, lengthy hospital admissions, and ongoing treatment in the hope of controlling this devastating disease.
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<div>Over the past two and a half years, Lukas has also undergone treatment with two different gene-inhibitor trial medications. Each new treatment has brought hope that we might finally gain the upper hand against his tumours and give him the chance to simply be a little boy.
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<div><strong>The Challenge We Face Now </strong>
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<div>In September, we received heartbreaking news.
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<div>One of Lukas's tumours has continued to grow despite the trial medication that had given us so much hope. Due to its location, surgery is no longer a safe option, leaving radiation therapy as our best opportunity to slow the disease and give Lukas more time.
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<div>Lukas's medical team is currently seeking approval through the Australian Medical Treatment Overseas Program (MTOP) for treatment at the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute in Jacksonville, Florida.
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<div>Proton therapy offers a more targeted form of radiation treatment, which may help minimise damage to healthy tissue and reduce the long-term impact of treatment on Lukas's developing brain and body.
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<div>If our application is approved, the Australian Government will cover the cost of treatment and flights for Lukas and one parent. However, we will still be responsible for many significant expenses associated with temporarily relocating overseas for treatment, including accommodation, food, local transport, travel insurance, vehicle hire, and numerous day-to-day costs that quickly add up.
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<div>While we have not been given a definitive prognosis, we know Lukas continues to face an incredibly serious and complex diagnosis. The rarity of his genetic mutations makes it difficult to predict what lies ahead, which is why we are committed to pursuing every treatment option available to him.
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<div><strong>Why We Need Your Help</strong>
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<div>Like many families facing childhood cancer, our lives have been completely turned upside down.
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<div>Caring for Lukas requires us to spend extended periods away from work, while the financial demands of ongoing treatment continue to grow. Between hospital admissions, specialist appointments, medications, travel, and the possibility of overseas treatment, we are facing costs that are beyond what we can manage alone.
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<div>Most importantly, we want to be where we are needed most: by Lukas's side.
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<div>Your support will help us meet the costs associated with:
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<div>• Specialist medical care and ongoing treatment
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<div>• Travel and accommodation for consultations and treatment
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<div>• Expenses associated with potential proton therapy treatment in Florida
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<div>• Clinical trial and treatment-related costs
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<div>• Rehabilitation and supportive therapies
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<div>• Medical equipment and care needs
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<div>• Lost income while caring for Lukas
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<div>• Creating meaningful family memories together during this difficult journey
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<div>As a family, we refuse to give up. We will continue fighting alongside Lukas and exploring every possible avenue available to him.
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<div>Any funds raised will help ease the financial burden, allowing us to focus our energy where it belongs: loving, supporting, caring for, and advocating for our son.
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<div><strong>How You Can Help</strong>
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<div>Every donation, regardless of size, will make a genuine difference to our family.
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<div>Your support will help us give Lukas access to the treatment, care and opportunities he deserves, while allowing us to focus on what matters most: spending precious time together and making memories as a family.
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<div>If you're unable to donate, sharing Lukas's story would mean the world to us. Every share, message of encouragement and act of kindness helps remind us that we are not walking this journey alone.
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<div>Lukas's story can be seen on the Brave Little Lukas page on instagram.
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<div><a href="https://www.instagram.com/bravelittlelukas/" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.instagram.com/bravelittlelukas/</a>
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<div>From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for standing with Lukas, believing in him, and helping us continue this fight.
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<div>Sharon, Johnathon, Monty, Paige &amp; Lukas ❤️
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Brave Little Lukas: A 5-Year-Old Warrior's Fight for Life

Brave Little Lukas: A 5-Year-Old Warrior's Fight for Life

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