Support Heath’s Fight for Time Against Cancer

Hi, I’m Matt Strickland and I’m trying to raise $40000 for my lovely friends, Heath and Vanessa Christie and their beautiful family. Heath and his family have recently experienced a devastating and very unexpected blow with Heath receiving a diagnosis of a rare type of cancer, Peritoneal Mesothelioma, during a routine hernia repair operation. This cancer has spread extensively throughout the membrane that lines his abdominal cavity and all the organs in this area and therefore the cancer is categorised at the most advanced stage.

UPDATE!! Heath’s chemotherapy has been brought forward and he will have to cease work sooner than expected!!

Fortunately, he still qualifies for the aggressive surgical procedure of cytoreduction and Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). Cytoreduction involves removing all visible cancer cells, stripping the peritoneum and parts of the abdominal organs where the cancer has spread. This will be followed by Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) where chemotherapy drugs are heated and administered directly into his abdominal cavity to target the remaining cancer cells unable to be removed during surgery.

Heath is bravely stepping towards this intensive and very invasive treatment. There will be a long and uncertain rehabilitation period with the aim of getting some more time with his beloved family and friends.

Any money donated will go directly to Heath’s family to help with significant medical costs, loss of income and support some stability for his beautiful family for when he passes on.

A $40k may seem a lot but Heath, as sole trader Psychologist won’t be able to work during treatment and recovery. Add to this medical costs ($$$!), Vanessa taking time off from work to care for Heath, back and forwards trips to hospitals, specialists, take away when the family are too exhausted to cook and payment of the mortgage on their recently purchased family home, you can see $40k won’t go far.

Any amount you can donate would be gratefully received ❤️❤️ and if you’re unable to donate at this time, a share with your friends and family would mean the world to us.