Support Elisha's life-saving heart surgery and recovery

Hello, my name is Marilou and I am reaching out for support for my beautiful and brave daughter, Elisha, who has been battling Single Ventricle Heart Disease since birth.

Elisha’s condition is a rare and serious congenital heart defect where only one ventricle (pumping chamber) develops properly. She has already undergone multiple life-saving procedures, with one final stage of surgery planned for next year.

As a single mother, all I want is to do everything I can to give my daughter a bright future. Unfortunately in the Phillipines, medical bills are only partially government funded and that’s why I made the heartbreaking decision to leave my daughter in the Philippines and come to Australia — to work, to earn, and to send money home for her medical care. I work long hours in childcare so that I can send as much as possible for her medical care and to support my family who are looking after her.

Due to prioritising saving money for this cause, I haven’t been able to travel back to see Elisha in over 2 years. It’s been an incredibly painful sacrifice — to be apart from her during the most vulnerable years of her life — but I’ve done it in hope of giving her the care she needs.

Last month, we received some terrible news. Elisha’s condition suddenly and severely worsened. Her heart could no longer wait. She needed emergency surgery to survive — far sooner than expected.

Every day, I’m working as hard as I can to give Elisha a fighting chance. I have scraped together every cent I have to travel to be by her side and cover what medical costs I can. I do not like asking for help but the costs of this emergency are too great for me to manage alone, and I am reaching out to ask for support.

Your donation will go directly toward:

If you’re not in a position to give financially, please consider sharing this campaign. Every act of kindness brings us one step closer to getting through this.

Elisha is so strong and brave. She’s full of love and light, and even in pain, she always finds reasons to smile. She loves watching Frozen, singing and drawing. All I want is to see her grow up and live the full, happy life every child deserves.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your support.