Our family is facing an unimaginable and overwhelming time, and we are reaching out for support.

Connor is a 20-year-old young man with severe autism who has recently been diagnosed with a 7cm tumour in his brain. This diagnosis came after a rapid and frightening decline in his health. Connor began losing his ability to walk, talk, and eat, experienced seizures, and was found to have fluid on his brain. He is currently receiving intensive medical care, and his condition has turned our family’s world upside down.

Due to the size and location of the tumour, Connor requires ongoing hospitalisation, complex neurological care, and significant support. As someone with high support needs, Connor relies heavily on familiar people, routines, and constant advocacy — making this situation even more challenging for him and for us as a family.

Connor’s dad, Bill, has already been through his own health battle. Over the past year, Bill has been fighting cancer himself, undergoing surgery and chemotherapy, with difficult setbacks along the way. While still recovering and managing his own health, he is now facing the emotional and practical toll of his son’s critical illness.

Connor’s mum, Marlene, is a casual support worker. She has had to stop working entirely so she can remain by Connor’s side in hospital to support, advocate for, and comfort him during this incredibly distressing time. This means the family currently has no stable income, while medical, travel, and daily living costs continue to grow.

We are raising funds to help relieve some of the financial pressure on Connor’s family so they can focus on what matters most — Connor’s care, recovery, and wellbeing, and supporting one another through this crisis.

Any contribution, no matter how small, will help cover:

• Loss of income

• Medical and hospital-related expenses

• Travel and accommodation costs

• Day-to-day living expenses during this extended hospital stay

If you are unable to donate, sharing this page or keeping Connor and his family in your thoughts means more than you know.

Thank you for your kindness, generosity, and support during this incredibly difficult time.