Hi everyone, I'm Lars, a work friend of Daniels.
Myself and few other work mates have created this fundraiser to offer Daniel & Jess some extra financial support in hopes to take some of the weight off their shoulders through this incredibly difficult time. Please have a read through Grace’s story and if you are able to donate, it would be so appreciated. Thanks heaps.


On October 8^th, 2020, the fate of our daughter’s life, would change forever…

Grace was born in December 2018. Quite average in size, except for her hands and feet. The nurses said she had the traits of me already showing strongly at birth. I knew she would be strong, like her Mum and Dad, she would be able to tackle anything life would throw at her. She was the perfect baby and toddler. Slept all night, ate all sorts of food, loved to play, learn, touch and feel. Especially when she started child care, whilst Jessica took on 3 day’s work again. She was so happy to be at child care, learning, socializing, making friends, stimulating her little growing brain. She was very active and liked to take risks, like Me, and wasn’t afraid to take a leap of faith, onto the next obstacle, down the slide, balancing across logs and rocks.

Then our lives changed within a day. Jess myself and the child care workers had noticed bruising on Graces shins and arms. Not uncommon for a child her age but more than what she had had in the past. Out of concern Jess took her to the GP and requested a blood test. That evening I was playing on the computer when Jess got the call from the GP. She said “I have to go, it’s not good ‘I think she has leukemia”.  When Jess returned our fears where reinforced and we were told to go the royal children’s hospital immediately. We needed to wake up our older son Jai at 10pm and take him to his aunties. So, we headed into emergency, Grace needed a blood transfusion that night. I waited with Jess and Grace in emergency and left in the early hours on the morning. The following day Grace had the first of dozens of general anesthetics, blood tests and observations. The diagnosis was confirmed the following day based on her bone marrow sample taken under general anesthetic. Jess and I were told she had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia T-Cell. The expected treatment time fame was 6 months of intensive treatment on standard risk protocol and 18 months of maintenance. For the next month grace lived in the hospital. Jess and I would take turn in being with her. We were home for 4 days before grace had her first infection (of many to come) and quickly returned to the hospital.  After the first month Grace was on target to completed treatment in the time frame expected. After the second month her results where revised and we were given the devastating news that her treatment would have to intensify and length would need to increase as she was now considered high risk. Xmas plans had to be cancelled on the spot Her intensive phase of treatment went from 6 to 9 months give or take for complications. As I write this, we are in the 8^th month of intensive treatment. Graces has undergone countless sessions of IV chemo, had blood test weekly if not more, had a central line device implanted (Port), and removed due to infection and reimplanted, not to mention all the other procedures and drugs our amazing toddler has had to endure. As parents we have watched Grace change in appearance, lose all her hair, gain weight, lose weight, manage the ups and downs that come as side effects of treatments, grieved for all her lost childhood experiences. Grace has not been able to go to childcare and see her friends, attend family and friends’ homes or events because her immune system has been constantly compromised by her treated. She struggles daily with nausea and changes in apatite, energy and strength. My fiancé Jess, has been so strong, being with Grace nearly every day. As I go to work to keep the family afloat and pay the bills and constantly worry that I’ll be getting a call that she had to go to hospital because of a fever or infection. Another barrier as a family, we have had to remain within 45 minutes of the hospital since treatment began because if she strikes a fever, she must receive treatment urgently.  All living in Melbourne now know the struggles associated with isolation due to the Covid 19 Pandemic. For our family that isolation has continued. Covid 19 impacts Grace’s experience of the Royal Children’s with all toys being put away, visitors not allowed, starlight room is closed. Grace makes the most of what is left to enjoy about hospital at the moment an that is the company of other patients, friendly staff and making fun with hospital supplies (like a blown-up glove) and bringing in minimal toys from home.

We still have two to three months of intensive treatment and 18 months of maintenance (general anesthetic) every month for spinal needle injections. Right now, we look forwards to the simple pleasures of life like visiting family, taking day trips out of the city or visit a playground without the fear of infection or worse.

My wife to be, has been so strong and mentally focused and on point every step of the way, I cannot describe in words how much she means to me, Grace and Jai through all this.

Our son Jai, has been dealing with this so well, and being very helpful were ever he can. He loves his sister so much and would do anything for her.

Our daughter has been strong, patient, brave, and enduring. For not even being 2 years old when being diagnosed with leukemia, and going through what she has so far. I have no words some times what her and all the other kids we have met, and have cancer are dealing with. This is not all the grim details, or pain that Grace and ourselves have been going through day to day, just a brief outline of what has been.

Myself and my family appreciate anything and everything that is donated or help that is given in any way shape or form. It means so much to all of us to know that there are some really good people in the world and work colleagues that want to help us get through this time.

Thankyou all,

From Daniel, Jess, Jai and Grace.