Hi, my name is Maya Haviland, and I am raising money to help my friends Jorge Ibarra and Yunuen Clarke as their youngest son Bruno bravely battles leukemia. Bruno was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in January 2022 and immediately airlifted to Sydney Children’s Hospital. He has been identified as a high-risk patient, meaning he must stay close to the hospital for treatment. His courageous mum, Yuni, has had to quit her job as a special needs educator in Canberra to care for Bruno full-time. At the same time, Jorge continues to work in community housing, to support the family and keep Bruno's brother Sebastian in school in Canberra. Treatment looks hopeful, but the expectation is that Bruno will have to stay in Sydney until the end of 2022 before undergoing further treatment until the end of 2023. Jorge and Sebastian have been traveling weekly between Canberra and Sydney to support Bruno and Yuni each weekend.

This medical crisis has significantly affected the whole family - physically, emotionally and financially. We are raising money to help make sure Jorge and Yunuen can cover their accommodation and travel over the coming treatment period and to pay the significant costs accrued traveling between Canberra and Sydney every weekend since January this year.

My family has known Jorge and Yuni for over a decade since their brave decision to migrate to Australia from Mexico. They have worked hard to build a life for their kids here in Canberra and have no family in Australia. They are facing this crisis bravely, but the financial insecurity of living between two increasingly expensive cities on one community sector income adds to their struggle. We are calling on the generous support of our friends and family to provide financial support over this time as they take care of Bruno.