Our family is going through something no one ever expects, and we’re reaching out for support during the most difficult time of our lives.

My beautiful sister Olivia went in for what was meant to be a routine exploratory keyhole surgery to remove a cyst on her ovary. Tragically, during the procedure, a her aorta the main artery in her abdomen and one of the major blood vessels was severed, something that should not of happened.

What followed was every family’s nightmare.

Olivia had to be rushed into emergency open surgery to stop catastrophic internal bleeding. A second surgical team was urgently called in, and she required 8 blood transfusions just to keep her alive. Once stabilised, she was airlifted to the Royal Hobart Hospital, where specialists worked tirelessly to save her.

She underwent another major surgery to repair the aorta after losing blood flow from her belly button down. Thankfully, that surgery was successful but the fight is far from over.

When blood flow returned, her body went into further trauma. Her stomach and both legs swelled dangerously, and she had to be cut open again immediately to relieve the pressure and save her limbs and organs and required a further 4 blood transfusions.

Right now, Olivia is in an induced coma on life support. Her stomach and both legs remain open as her body fights to recover. She is in a critical but stable condition, and she faces another surgery this Wednesday in the hope doctors can begin closing her wounds.

We are holding onto hope with everything we have but we know the road ahead will be long, uncertain, and incredibly challenging.

Our family lives over 4 hours away on the North West Coast of Tasmania, and we are desperately trying to stay close to Olivia during this time. We are asking for support to help cover accommodation costs so our mum and Olivia’s fiancé, Brody, can remain by her side as she fights for her life.

If you are able to donate, no matter how small, it would mean the world to us. If you can’t donate, sharing this would help more than you know.

Olivia is strong, but she needs her family around her and we need your help to make that possible.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your kindness, support, and prayers ❤️