Sam McCormack, Clancy Rudeforth, Walt & William

We are close friends of Clancy Rudeforth and Samantha (Sam) McCormack. We are raising much needed funds to support them and their two children, Walt (2) and William (~1 week) at an extremely challenging time as they grapple with multiple medical emergencies.

Clancy and Sam (Australian born) have been raising a young family in Geneva, where they have both based their careers doing humanitarian work in areas of conflict and famine around the world. Their life was turned upside down in January of this year when their 2 year old, Walt, was diagnosed with retinoblastoma, a rare and aggressive form of infant cancer in the left eye. Fortunately, the cancer was identified before it spread into his optic nerve and brain but urgent and aggressive treatment was critical. After multiple rounds of chemotherapy, during which he was hospitalized twice as his immunity fell to zero, they were hopeful that Walt had come through the worst of things. Unfortunately the cancer has not reduced as much as hoped, and he is currently undergoing an intensive treatment of chemo, cryo and laser therapy at a specialist hospital one hour away in Lausanne.

During this challenging time, Sam was pregnant with their second child. As they prepared for life with a newborn and a toddler with cancer, they were devastated to learn that Sam, at 39 weeks pregnant, had a large tumour impinging on her temporal cortex, an area of the brain relating to speech and movement. The size of the tumour required Sam to undergo urgent neurosurgery within only a week of giving birth to their second born, William. The operation carried significant risks, including permanent impairment of her ability to walk and talk. Now recovering from the major brain surgery, her rehabilitation journey will soon commence which will likely require speech and physical therapy, the duration and extent of which remain unknown.

While they remain hopeful and optimistic that both Sam and Walt will make full recoveries, they must also prepare for the possibility that their journeys are only just beginning.

They are fortunate to live in Switzerland with access to world-class medical care. However, the extensive treatments and surgeries for Sam and Walt, the recurring and significant insurance gaps, incidental costs such as additional child care, night care, and transport, as well as the interruption to Clancy and Sam’s working lives and income, will be extremely challenging and stressful financially.

Asking for help doesn't come easily to Clancy and Sam - they are accustomed to helping others and expecting nothing in return. However, during this time of obvious need, any contribution - no matter how big or small - will make a massive difference to the family in the critical months ahead.

Clancy, Sam, Walt, and William will be forever grateful for the support.

-Friends of Clancy and Sam