Hi, my name is Bianca and I’m reaching out on behalf of my sister Maddy, her husband Damien, and their young family, who have endured an incredibly difficult journey over the past few years.
Two years ago, Maddy became pregnant with beautiful identical twin boys, Jude and George. Due to serious pregnancy complications, she had to stop working at just 18 weeks and remained on bed rest until giving birth extremely prematurely at 22 weeks and 6 days.
Both boys were born tiny but fighting. Tragically, after five weeks in NICU, baby Jude passed away. George, their little warrior, continued to grow stronger and was finally able to come home — but his complex medical needs meant that Maddy couldn’t return to work as a provisional psychologist, as George required oxygen and couldn’t be placed in daycare.
On top of navigating unimaginable grief and caring for George, Maddy and Damien have also faced mounting financial strain—paying for Jude’s funeral, loss of income, moving in with our parents for support, and now dealing with serious ongoing health challenges.
Recently, Maddy underwent brain surgery (a craniotomy), and is now unable to drive for at least six months. She has since been diagnosed with an extensive pelvic DVT and a rare vascular condition that will require further surgery in the near future. These medical complications have made it extremely difficult for her to manage in their current high-set rental property. Unfortunately, when trying to negotiate with their real estate agent, they were told they must break their lease and are liable for re-letting fees and ongoing rent until a new tenant is found. This means they either need to remain in a home that is unsafe for Maddy or pay for two tenancies for a period of time to allow them to relocate. This unexpected financial burden, combined with Maddy’s inability to return to work, has left them in an incredibly vulnerable position.
To add further strain, Damien is currently under the care of a neurosurgical team in Brisbane after being diagnosed with a bony tumour on his skull behind his eyes. Specialists are still working to understand the full extent of the tumour and whether it may impact his vision, neurological function, or overall health
Our family has been doing everything we can to support them, but as a sister, it’s heartbreaking not to be able to do more to ease their pain and struggle.
That’s why I’m reaching out to our community for help. If you’re in a position to donate — no matter how small — your support would mean the world to us. Every dollar will go directly toward helping Maddy, Damien, and George cover their living costs, health-related expenses, and secure a safer, more suitable home as they continue to navigate these overwhelming challenges.
We are so grateful for the love and support that has surrounded our family so far. Thank you for taking the time to read their story, and for helping us carry them through this difficult time.
With gratitude,
Bianca
If you would like to listen to their journey with Jude and George, please see the below link
Organizer and beneficiary
Maddison Lassig
Beneficiary