Suzanne, Suz, Suzie-Q, our devoted mother, wife, sister, nanna, friend and now devastatingly battler of cancer.

After three long months of tests and an initial misdiagnosis of a stroke, we finally have answers that have absolutely shattered us - Suz has been diagnosed with Small Cell Lung Cancer.

By the time it was found, it had already spread to her lung, lymph nodes, spine, brain, and eye, causing her to lose vision in one eye.

Devastatingly, her prognosis is terminal, and doctors have estimated that we will lose our beautiful Suzanne in 5 years.

The shock of the diagnosis has shattered our family, but Suz is facing it with the same strength, courage, and determination that she has shown throughout her life.

Suzanne completed her first round of Chemotherapy and while it went as well as we could have hoped, devastatingly for Suz she has begun losing her hair. Her care team have put Suz on an aggressive treatment plan with a further 3 rounds of Chemo, Immunotherapy and Radiation therapy that will go into December. December was a time that Suzanne was excited to be celebrating her 50th birthday in Phuket with her daughters and best friends, now sadly instead she will be battling this horrible disease.

We are trying to take things one day at a time, staying hopeful, cherishing our moments together, and focusing on making every day count.

For the people who know Suzanne, know that she is the kind of person who gives herself endlessly, she has always put the needs of others before her own.

This was evident when she tragically lost her sister Melinda in a car accident, this left Suzannes 2 tender aged nieces without a mother. Despite the enormous grief she felt losing her little sister, Suzanne selflessly stepped in adopted her 2 beautiful nieces, raising them from babies into young women, always keeping Melindas spirit alive in their hearts.

Whether it’s her family, her friends, or the countless people she’s supported through her work, Suz has spent her life showing up for those who need her most. Her heart for helping others has shone through in her career in child protection, homeless services, and drug and alcohol support, where she has dedicated herself to protecting and uplifting the most vulnerable in our community.

Now, heartbreakingly, it is Suz who needs our support.

The emotional and financial burden of this journey is heavy.

As you can imagine when someone unexpectedly puts a timer on your life and tells you that you must fight like hell for the entirety of that time, it is a weight that cannot be put into words and is felt by the whole family.

We are starting this fundraiser to help ease that weight and give Suz the chance to focus fully on her health, her comfort, and her time with her loved ones. The funding will go towards medical expenses, travel for treatment, day to day expenses that will allow her continue to raise her nieces and slow down with work and allow Suzanne to hopefully tick off some of her bucket list items and create those memories that will live on in our hearts forever.

Your love, prayers, and support mean more than words can ever say. If you are able to contribute, no matter the amount, it will make a world of difference. And if you can’t donate, please consider sharing this page so others can keep Suz in their hearts.

Suz has spent her life lifting others up in their hardest times, and now it’s our turn to lift her up. Her kindness, compassion, and selflessness have touched so many lives, and with your help, we can make sure she feels that same love and care returned to her.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for standing beside Suzanne and our family as we navigate this journey