Help support the Cross family as they navigate challenges no family should have to face.

Gracemere locals, the Cross family are facing major health emergencies for two of their three precious children. Please consider a donation to ease the financial burden.

In the first week of January, Olivia (age 11) was rushed to emergency. Usually bright and active, Olivia had become incredibly unwell. Mum, Louise, and dad, Jake, were blindsided when their precious Olivia was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes a lifelong condition. Olivia was admitted to hospital and not long after she went into DKA which is a life-threatening illness attached to diabetes and narrowly missed being transferred to ICU.

Still grappling with the impact of Olivia’s diagnosis, the family were dealt yet another blow when Tyler (age 12) also required a hospital admission following a cluster of unusual symptoms. A scan revealed the devastating news that Tyler had a brain tumour. He required immediate transfer to Brisbane.

The Royal Flying Doctor Service flew Louise, Jake, Tyler and Olivia to Brisbane to undergo further investigations and receive specialist treatment for Tyler, and to continue to stabilise Olivia, who remains unwell and needs ongoing care to manage her new diagnosis.

After an anxious wait in Brisbane while doctors reviewed Tyler’s case and monitored his symptoms over several days, Tyler underwent brain surgery and now faces a long and challenging road to recovery.

Unfortunately, this is not the Cross family’s first experience with medical emergencies – their youngest son, Jordan (7), has required specialist care and support for a number of complex needs since the day he was born – including multiple major surgeries in his young life.

Mum, Louise, and dad, Jake, now face the unimaginable – two children admitted to hospital far away from home, one of them recovering from major surgery with an as-yet unclear treatment pathway, the other adapting to life with a medical condition, and a third child with high needs requiring ongoing support and care.

Family and friends of Louise and Jake have seen them weather many stressful and emotional storms in the face of unexpected medical challenges – but the heartache and uncertainty of this chapter of their lives is unfathomable.

In addition to grappling with the realities of treatment for their children, Louise and Jake face the added financial pressure of time off work, and the costs involved in temporarily relocating their family to Brisbane while Tyler and Olivia receive treatment.

This fundraiser aims to ease some of that financial burden and ensure Louise and Jake can focus on what matters most – being present for their children and one another as they navigate this journey together.

Your donation will go directly to the Cross family to assist in:

❤️ Covering non-funded travel, food and accommodation costs for their current hospital stay, and for any future trips for medical care.

❤️ Current and ongoing non-funded medical expenses.

❤️ Accommodation and travel for family members who are supporting the family by caring for Jordan in Brisbane.

❤️ Cushioning the loss of wages from time off work.

You will be assisting them to breathe slightly easier in the face of challenges no family should face.

If you’re feeling helpless and searching for a way to show your love and support, any donation, big or small, will make a meaningful difference.

Please keep the Cross family in your thoughts and prayers, and thank you for supporting them with compassion, kindness, and hope.