“Another one of your children has cancer.”

These were the words my sister Ashley and husband Jonno never expected to hear, especially after just celebrating Christmas together as a family again.

After an incredibly difficult 16 months supporting their four-year-old daughter, Alyssa, through cancer treatment, the Perez family has been faced with the unthinkable for a second time. Earlier this month, their eldest daughter, Emmy (6), was admitted to the Royal Children’s Hospital following unusual blood test results. On 6 January, Emmy was diagnosed with leukaemia — the same type her sister was diagnosed with in 2024 and is still receiving treatment for.

Throughout Alyssa’s treatment, Emmy was her biggest supporter, the sister who cheered her on, played beside her, visited often, and shared both the hard and hopeful moments. Over the past 15 months, Emmy missed school days, birthday parties, and sport so the family could stay together and keep her sister safe.

Emmy’s diagnosis has come as a profound shock. When Alyssa was first diagnosed, extensive genetic testing was completed, and the family was reassured that her cancer was not genetic and that the risk to their other children was no higher than that of any child in the community. To now be navigating cancer treatment with both daughters is something no one ever expected.

While the family is familiar with the hospital environment, Emmy’s journey is entirely her own. Her treatment plan will depend on how her body responds in the weeks and months ahead.

As parents, their focus is fully on being present for both girls, emotionally, physically, and practically, while managing long hospital stays, ongoing treatment, and the needs of their family at home, including their cheeky two-year-old. Supporting two children through cancer treatment at the same time brings significant emotional, logistical, and financial strain, and the family is learning to navigate this new reality day by day.

Donations raised through this page will help ease the practical and financial pressures during this time. The family has exhausted all available personal and carers leave, and their ability to return to work at full capacity may be limited due to the demands of caring for two children at different stages of cancer treatment.

While Emmy’s treatment plan is still unfolding, it is expected to follow a similar path to her sister’s, involving long hospital stays, isolation, frequent appointments, and intensive support at home. Funds will help cover travel to and from the Royal Children’s Hospital, accommodation and parking, meals, household expenses, and lost income, allowing the family to focus on what matters most, supporting Emmy and Alyssa through this journey.

How the Funds Will Be Used

• Supporting parents to remain present with Emmy and Alyssa during treatment by offsetting loss of income while they step away from work

• Travel to and from the Royal Children’s Hospital for frequent appointments and admissions

• upgrade their current family car that is currently 15 years old to something more reliable and fuel efficient. this was a top priority after the experience with Alyssa's journey and they had just started working towards upgrading but now this seems like a distant goal to them.

• Accommodation and parking costs during extended hospital stays

• Meals and daily living expenses while spending long periods away from home

• Essential household costs, including mortgage payments and utilities

• Car maintenance and repairs required for regular hospital travel

• Practical support for caring for the family at home while both girls are undergoing treatment

if you have any personal or professional connections that could assist with any of these goals please don't hesitate to contact us through GoFundMe or Amanda (Aunty Mandy) or Nicole (Aunty Cole Cole).

For those who prefer to give in practical ways, supermarket vouchers and streaming service vouchers are also deeply helpful during this time.

Any support, whether through a donation, sharing this page, or keeping the family in your thoughts and prayers, is deeply appreciated and helps carry the Perez family through this incredibly challenging season.

Thanks everyone!