On Thursday 30 July, while playing with his mates at school, 11-year-old Jacob had his first seizure.

After a trip to the Emergency Department at the Canberra Hospital and a CT scan, Leigh and Andreza received the heartbreaking news that Jacob had a sizeable brain tumour.

As seizures continued, Drs recommended urgent surgery and Jacob was airlifted to the Sydney Children’s Hospital in Randwick. He underwent brain surgery in the first week of August.

We are so grateful that his operation was considered a success. His first words post-surgery were “Hi, Dad”. Independent walking within a week of surgery was a huge relief.

Since then however, Jacob’s been quite sick. Persistent vomiting and pain have meant he’s been in and out of hospital and readmitted to Sydney Children’s Hospital.

As doctors worked to determine the cause and to identify the best course of treatment, Jacob underwent extensive testing, including multiple MRIs, blood tests, X-rays and a lumbar puncture.

On Wednesday 9 September, Leigh and Andreza met with the neuro-oncology team in Sydney to receive the results.

Jacob was diagnosed with an extremely rare brain cancer. Only 12 cases have been reported globally. The good news is the documented cases that have received treatment, have been successful. Jacob's medical team have recommended urgent Proton Beam Radiation therapy as this offers the best chance of survival while reducing long-term side effects.

Proton therapy is not available in Australia.

Jacob will be flown to Florida in late September for 8 weeks of intense treatment. On return to Australia, he'll head back to the Sydney Children’s Hospital for 6 months, for Chemotherapy.

The Australian Government, through the Medical Treatment Overseas Program (MTOP) will cover the cost of overseas medical treatment and travel for Jacob and one parent.

The family will travel to the USA to be by Jacob's side. They'll temporarily relocate to Sydney on their return.

Supporting the Redmayne family

If you’ve landed here, you’ve probably been lucky enough to meet the Redmayne family.

You’ll know that Jacob and his family are proud Canberrans, mad Raiders supporters, deeply involved in their community…and in (almost) every sport known to man.

Jacob wants to know when he can play basketball, OzTag and footy again. And like everyone who knows and loves him, we hope the answer is very soon.

Whilst fundraising is something that Leigh and Andreza have not asked for, friends and family have rallied around them to set up this page. We know that additional support will make a meaningful difference in the months ahead.

Funds raised will go towards out-of-pocket expenses (including international travel for one parent and his sister, plus accommodation, and day to day living expenses in the USA and Sydney).

Most importantly, your support will help keep them together as a family during his treatment.

Thank you for your generosity, and for your prayers for his healthy return home.

'Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer'

Romans 12:12