Our beautiful sister, Leona Lolohea is just 35 years old. She is a devoted wife and a loving mother to five beautiful children, aged 9, 8, 2-year-old twins, and a 5-month-old baby.

Born and raised in Otara, South Auckland. Leona is a beloved daughter and the second of five siblings. Family has always been at the heart of who she is.

In 2013, she moved to the Gold Coast to support her older sister during the birth of her niece and help care for her children. Not long after, her then-fiancé joined her. They married, built a beautiful life together and began raising their own family.

Around 2½ years ago, Leona began experiencing weakness and muscle tension in her hands. What started as a weaker grip gradually progressed, affecting her arms and legs. She eventually lost the ability to lift her arms above her shoulders and developed foot drop, making it increasingly difficult to walk independently.

After numerous appointments, scans and investigations, doctors identified nerve damage. In 2025, she was diagnosed with Multifocal Motor Neuropathy (MMN) and foot drop, while further investigations continued due to the complexity and rarity of her condition.

During this incredibly challenging time, Leona discovered she was pregnant. Despite her physical struggles, she courageously carried her baby and safely welcomed her beautiful daughter earlier this year. Now 5 months old baby is a precious miracle and a testament to Leona’s strength.

In July 2026, our family’s world changed when Leona received the heartbreaking diagnosis of Progressive Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

What is MND?

Motor neurone disease (MND) is a term used to describe a group of diseases that affect nerve cells called 'motor neurons'.

Motor neurons carry messages from the brain to the muscles via the spinal cord. These messages allow us to make movements like walking, swallowing, talking and breathing.

In motor neurone disease, the nerves become damaged and start to die. When this happens, muscles start to weaken and waste away. The speed at which MND progresses varies for each person. Survival time also varies, but the average life expectancy is 2 to 3 years from diagnosis. Currently, there is no cure for MND and it is life-limiting.

A coordinated care approach can help people with MND live better for longer. Known as multidisciplinary care, this involves engaging with a team of health professionals from a range of disciplines.

Why We Are Asking for Help?

Today, Leona requires increasing assistance with her daily care while continuing to be the loving mum she has always been. As the disease progresses, so do the challenges facing her family. With five young children under the age of nine, the daily demands of raising a family, attending medical appointments, managing treatments, and meeting the rising cost of living have become overwhelming.

Currently, the family relies on a single income. Her husband works tirelessly to provide for his family, often spending nights away from home for work. While they continue navigating this difficult season.

This GoFundMe has been created to help ease some of the financial burden they now face.

How Your Support Will Help:

Your support gives Leona the opportunity to focus on what matters most; living with dignity, spending time with her family and creating precious memories.

Funds raised will help with:

* Unexpected expenses: urgent medical needs, emergency costs and other unforeseen expenses as Leona’s condition progresses

* Travel: fuel, parking and travel costs for medical appointments

* Daily living: groceries, bills and household essentials, unexpected expenses

* Children’s needs: school, clothing, childcare and everyday expenses

* Home and mobility support: personal care, household help, mobility equipment and accessibility needs

* Family memories: special outings, activities, a family holiday and keepsakes for her children

Most importantly, your support will help Leona make meaningful memories with her family while she is still physically able; memories her children and loved ones can treasure forever.

A Message From Our Family:

If you know Leona, you’ll know she is one of the most humble, gentle, selfless, and strongest people you’ll ever meet. She has never been someone to ask for help, which is why we, as her family, are asking on her behalf.

Growing up we didn’t have much & life wasn’t always easy. While we may not have had much materially, we were rich in love, family, and above all, faith. It is that same faith that continues to carry us today.

Whether you are able to give financially, share this page, or simply keep Leona and her family in your prayers, every act of kindness means more than words can express.

We also hope that by sharing Leona’s journey, we can bring greater awareness to Motor Neurone Disease and remind others that many people silently carry battles we cannot see.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your generosity, your prayers, your love, and your support. Your kindness will help carry this beautiful family through one of the hardest chapters of their lives. ❤️