Help Save Opal: A Lifesaving Mission

***For most recent updates - please scroll down***

Dear Friends and Animal Lovers,

Roz has been a guardian angel to countless cats, devoting seven years to their rescue and care as Romeo's Cat Rescue . Today, she faces her most personal challenge: Opal, Roz's own beloved cat, is in the fight for her life. Recently Opal has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer - nasal lymphoma - that has extended into her brain. The only hope she has comes in a form of an advanced radiation therapy, followed by chemotherapy. It's not cheap, with costs soaring over $15,000, but it's her best shot at beating this.

As of today (14.11.2023) Opal has bravely undergone more than half of her radiation therapy at SASH in Sydney and so far, she is responding really well. But her journey isn't over...

As Opal nears the end of this first tough stage, the road ahead includes chemotherapy back in Melbourne. The size and stubbornness of her tumour mean this step isn't just important—it's crucial. And it comes with a cost: an estimated $5,000 to $10,000 on top of the steep expenses already incurred.

The reality is, the funds for Opal's continued treatment simply aren't there and Roz desperately needs our help.

Roz has always been the first to step up for animals in need, to open her home, to pour her resources into saving lives. Now, when she's facing the overwhelming reality of medical costs that far exceed her means, we have the opportunity to step up for Roz. Your donation, no matter the size, contributes directly to Opal's cancer treatment and her chance at having a future.

Let's rally together for Roz and Opal. Together, we can be the miracle that Roz and Opal need.

Your support means everything to Roz and the life of her beloved Opal.

With heartfelt thanks,

Roz, Opal and Marianna

P.S. Please share Opal's story. Your voice can make a world of difference.

All paid bills and supporting financial documents will be updated here in the due course.

Here is the link for Romeo's Cat Rescue Page on Facebook

Opal with her wonderful Dr Elias Gumple - a radiation/oncology specialist at SASH, next to her radiation machine called "Sparky"

Opal on her daily walk:

Opal inside the radiation machine during her treatment:

Opal in recovery after one of her radiation sessions:

Opal with "Sparky" - performing an equipment quality check :D

Paid bill from SASH:

***Update 19.11.23***

Two days ago, on Friday 17.11, Opal has completed her course of Radiation Treatment at SASH (they call it Graduation Day :) ). I will post photos of her CT scans below to see how much her tumour has shrunk over the last 2 weeks. The whole team is very happy with Opal's progress and we all keep our fingers and toes crossed that the tumour keeps responding and shrinking over the next three months (this is how long it takes to see the final effect of the radiation treatment).

Tomorrow (Monday Nov 20th) Opal and her mum will start driving back to Melbourne. It will be a long and exhausting drive for both of them, especially that now Opal is starting to experience the short term side effects of her treatment. In the last couple of days she's been feeling off, not eating, hiding in the dark places a lot. The doctors say these are normal and expected side effects from the radiation and they may last for a few weeks. At the moment Opal needs to be syringe fed a few times a day as she won't eat on her own. However, she is still enjoying her daily walkies!

Once back home, she has an appointment with the oncologist at VRH Dandenong to discuss further treatment with chemo. I will be updating here once we know all the details. Please wish Opal and Roz the best of luck! And please keep sharing Opal's pledge. Thank you!

Opal's tumor before (within the yellow lines):

Opal's tumour after 10 days of radiation treatment:

Before:

After:

Opal's Graduation:

Opal with her amazing team at SASH: