Hi, my name is Erin Cribb and I have been a close friend of The McGowan’s since Scarlett was 2 years old.

Watching what this family has been through already with Scarlett having a heart transplant at seven months old and the struggle that comes with having a chronically sick child is overwhelming. They have just been delivered Another big blow with Scarlett recently being diagnosed with Lymphoma, PTLD a type of cancer that can happen in transplant recipients due to the immuno suppression medication allowing an overgrowth of cells that then turn cancerous. Scarlett was admitted to The Royal Children’s Hospital with suspected Pneumonia on 2nd Jan, the Lymphoma was found in her stomach on an ultrasound, she deteriorated quickly and was moved to ICU and placed on a ventilator. She was too unwell to have a PET scan. A CT scan showed the Lymphoma was in her lungs as well. Her oncologist felt they needed to treat it fast and while ventilated she was given x 2 Chemotherapy drugs and an immuno therapy medication. Scarlett is now on the oncology ward and is dealing with a bleed in her bowel. Doctors have tried to manage this with medication, blood transfusions and fasting but after 6 days it is unresolved and she is slowing needing more intervention and support. She will have surgery (which is only available at the adult hospital) in the coming days to patch this bleed and hopefully heal so she can focus on her next round of immuno & chemo therapy. Her ongoing treatment plan has not been finalised yet. Scarlett is likely to remain in hospital for the foreseeable future. Sam & Jon are taking it in turns to stay bed side with Scarlett. Jon has his own small business and is now navigating how to juggle supporting the family financially while needing to be with Scarlett in Melbourne.

let’s come together as a community and help ease the financial burden so they can focus 100% on Scarlett and her care.