Hello my name is Jenny Schipke. I am from Townsville, Queensland, Australia. I am asking for help for my 36 year old daughter Rhiaan, her husband Ben and their two young children Ivy aged 5 and Oliver aged 3.

In this first week of November 2024, Rhiaan has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

This devastating news follows an overwhelming 22 months of tragedy that leads me to ask for help for Rhiaan and her young family.

- My husband Mark (Rhiaan’s father) passed away suddenly at home in January 2023. My grandchildren Ivy and Oliver were present. Mark’s death changed our lives in an instant and forevermore.

- On Christmas Eve of 2023 my 33 year old son Lachlan was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive bile duct cancer and given 7-12 months to live. He was transferred to the PA Hospital in Brisbane for treatment. I accompanied him and while we were there my Mum, who was in Townsville, had a stroke. She passed away on April 3 of 2024. Sadly Lachlan lost his battle with cancer in early September 2024. This was just 8 and a half months after he was diagnosed. To make life more distressing his passing was the same day we should have been celebrating my grandson Oliver’s (Lachlan’s nephew) birthday.

Rhiaan, Ben and I sat by Lachlan’s bedside and saw the pain he endured until he passed. Unbelievably, 8 weeks after that heartbreaking day, my beautiful Rhiaan has been given this horrendous news. As you can envisage our past losses are still raw, but we need to face this situation.

This will be a long journey for Rhiaan. Household expenses and other financial commitments don’t stop and I know she will need all the help she can get to lessen the stress of what she has to face. Ben will be supporting her and their young children and this will help ease financial stress, as their work commitments will not be a priority.

I hope when you read this you will find love and compassion in your hearts to please help this young hardworking family get through this journey.

THANK YOU