Rally for the Jenkins': Supporting Stu's Journey to Recovery

Stuart Jenkins is a loving father, husband, grandpa, brother, uncle, son and friend. He is adored and loved by all in his large blended family. He’s the man you’re proud for your sister to come home to and the father you wish you had. Stu is not one to ask for a hand out or hand up, but he is always the first person to offer a helping hand, to listen and to be there for support. He’s the person that notices you struggling and wants to help in any way possible. To us, he’s the person we FaceTime in tears while he calmly talks us through what we need at Bunnings, how to build a flat pack or put together a children’s bike.

Hi there, we’re Liv, Alex and Maddy - sisters in law to Stuart Jenkins and our entire family have had our lives turned upside down to learn that what was thought to be a compression fracture in his spine was in fact a shocking diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.

As Stu and his immediate family and friends come to terms with the devastating news, life for him and his wife, our eldest sister Jodie, and their children is currently on pause while they begin to process and prepare for the road that lies ahead, after being airlifted to Sydney from Coffs Harbour last Sunday to commence the next phase of this challenging journey.

To say that Stuart would give you the shirt off his back is an understatement, this selfless man has been the family's main income provider for the past three and a half years while he and Jodie put their own lives on hold to become full time carers to their great niece, aged just 10months (at the time) after also being kinship carers to her elder sister some years earlier. This journey in itself comes with many challenges, but they continue to provide a safe, stable, consistent and therapeutic environment that any child would thrive in.

We have had many people reaching out to ask what they can do to support Stu, Jodie and their family at this time and right now, Stu just needs to focus all of his energy into fighting this beast with Jodie by his side caring for him and not worrying about what will happen when his leave runs out, but the reality of the situation is that Jodie will need to put caring for Stu and their family on hold and re-engage in employment to cover not just the day to day expenses we all face, such as mortgage and bills but also the additional financial pressure this battle will have on them, involving the cost of travel between Coffs & Sydney, accommodation and the costs associated with this treatment.

During this cost of living crisis, we know that so many families are struggling, but we are so grateful for any donation or share on social media that will allow the Jenkins family extra time to simply be together and focus all of their energy into recovery at this time.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read about our Stuie, we are so grateful for all of your support.

Warmest Regards,

Three sisters - Liv, Alex and Maddy xo