Sapphire is my 17 year old sister.

She was diagnosed at age 6 with Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2) a rare genetic condition that affects around 1 in every 40,000 people and causes tumours to grow on the nerves.

At 6, she had emergency brain surgery.

Since then, the tumours have continued to grow.

Recently, Sapphire underwent surgery for tumours affecting her hearing. She has now permanently lost hearing in one ear.

She also has tumours on her optic nerves. One is already showing signs of damage. These tumours can continue to grow and cause further vision loss.

In Australia’s public system, surgery on the optic nerves carries a high risk of blindness.

We are trying to avoid that.

We have found a specialist surgeon in France who has successfully removed similar tumours while preserving the nerves.

The cost is $200,000 per tumour.

We are raising funds to give Sapphire the chance to protect her remaining hearing, her sight and her independence.

If you can donate or share, it truly makes a difference.

This current goal of $50,000 represents the next major milestone toward funding Sapphire’s specialist surgery.

Although the full cost per tumour is $200,000, this is one step closer to giving her access to the care she needs

Thank you for standing with her.