Help Turn Casper’s Dream into Reality #Arthealing

Hey Everyone, my name is Kerry Evitts an Artist and Art therapist based in Melbourne Australia and I'm calling all friends, family and kindhearted community members! I am reaching out to you today with a heartfelt request for support for a truly remarkable family who is navigating incredibly challenging circumstances.

The Cullen family, reside here in Melbourne and I had the pleasure of meeting mum Fiona at some carers' art workshops I ran to help bring a respite to carers in our community. Fiona and her family are an inspiring family of five — two parents and three beautiful children. All three of their children are on the autism spectrum, which brings its own set of unique challenges for them every day. But despite these challenges, this family shows an unwavering love for one another and a resilience that is nothing short of awe-inspiring.

Casper, their eldest son, is a 15-year-old boy who has already shown an incredible amount of strength and courage in his short life. Casper has been battling a life-long illness with a Rare Disease (Familial Adenomatous Polyposis) which affects only 1 in a million, this was found When he was just 10 months old and diagnosed with liver cancer he endured extensive treatments to stay alive But his battle isn’t over, at 12 years old doctors discovered the cancer had spread to his colon, and he had to undergo another major surgery to remove part of his colon. More recently, he’s had to undergo eye surgery to remove growths from his eyes caused by chemotherapy treatments. Despite all these battles, Casper continues to amaze everyone around him with his incredible will to live and thrive.

Casper's strength is not just physical. He is a talented artist with a deep passion for art (this is where I come in) He dreams of creating his own home art studio, a space where he can express himself, heal, and help others through his artwork. I have the privilege of working closely with this talented and inspirational Boy and aim to build his confidence as an artist (he is truly gifted)— though he’s reluctant to admit it, I see the talent he has, and with the right support, I truly believe his art can inspire many.

However, Casper’s dream of a dedicated art studio remains out of reach for now. The family has a garage that they use as an art space — a place where they all come together to create, to escape, to heal. But unfortunately, this space is not yet functional or safe. The garage is missing doors, there are no proper floor coverings, no heating to keep the space warm during Melbourne’s cold winters or cool I summer , and there is insufficient storage for the art supplies and equipment they need.

This is where we can all make a difference!

I am asking for your help in raising $15000 to transform the family’s garage into a fully functional art therapy studio — a safe, warm, and inspiring space for Casper and his family to come together, heal, and grow through the power of art.

This studio will not only be a dream come true for Casper but will also provide a therapeutic outlet for the whole family, helping them navigate the difficult realities they face every day. By coming together, we can help create a space that brings healing, creativity, and joy.

Here's how you can help:

1. Monetary Donations: Any contribution, big or small, will help us reach our goal to turn the garage into a safe, warm, and functional art space.

2. In-Kind Donations: If you are a local business, we would greatly appreciate any donations of materials or services:

3. Doors, flooring, or heating (Do you work for a door, flooring, or heating company? We would love your support! Or maybe you are a builder or chippy that can help with storage solutions.

4. Art supplies

5. Sharing the Campaign: Even if you're unable to donate financially, sharing this campaign with your friends and family could help us reach more kind-hearted people who want to make a difference.

Casper’s dream is simple: a space where he can express himself and heal, a place where art becomes a powerful tool for growth, connection, and community. Together, we can make that dream a reality. Let's show the Cullen family that no matter how tough life gets, community support can light the way forward.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading this and for considering supporting this incredible cause. Your generosity, kindness, and support will not only change Casper’s life but will also uplift this entire family.

Let’s come together and make a real difference.

UPDATE: if donating through this platform please be aware they automatically at 17% onto your donation at the end and you can change that amount should you wish before hitting pay just check the total. 

With gratitude and hope,

Kerry Evitts