Would you support our little warrior, Zoe and her family?

In May 2022, my son, Jason, and daughter-in-law, Cindy, welcomed their beautiful daughter Zoe into the world. Her birth was to be the completion of their family; a much longed-for sister for Jake (5) and Riley (3).

However, it was immediately clear that Zoe was very unwell, and she was transferred to the Royal Children’s hospital where she was diagnosed with an extremely rare genetic disorder which causes her immune system to attack her blood cells. There are very few cases of this condition worldwide, and therefore research into its causes, its varied symptoms and possible interventions are sparse. Despite the exemplary care of the world-class medical teams at the RCH, Zoe’s illness has proven to be a wily adversary, with what feels like endless twists and turns in its response to treatment.

The first two years of Zoe’s life were spent in endless hospital visits, transfusions and other traumatic and invasive procedures. Then, in April 2024, she underwent a Bone Marrow Transplant. Devastatingly, this transplant failed when Zoe’s own immunity fought off the donor cells.

In March this year, after another long year of tests, treatment and transfusions, Zoe, by now almost three years old, headed back to the RCH for a second transplant. This time, although her body accepted the donor cells, the ravages of two years of chemotherapy took its toll and her bone marrow is not making enough blood. She still requires almost daily transfusions. This, combined with some very serious complications affecting her heart, her liver, her lungs and her digestive system means that Zoe cannot, for the foreseeable future, leave the hospital even for a day.

Zoe’s illness and the multiple setbacks in her treatment have had an incalculable impact on the entire family. Jason and Cindy have done the most amazing job in keeping going, one day at a time, and above all trying to sustain as normal a life as possible for their two young boys. This is very difficult when one parent must be full-time at the hospital and there are many times when both are needed.

Jake and Riley adore their sister and are deeply worried about her. Zoe herself is an inspiration in every way. She is the happiest, cheekiest little monkey who loves her Barbies, Moana and the million and one stuffies that adorn her bed. She has endured more than anyone should have to in ten lifetimes, yet she continues to grin at everyone who comes her way and is a firm favourite on the Ward, loved by every one of her doctors, nurses, therapists and volunteers.

It is very hard to face the fact that she is still very unwell, with all the challenges that this poses for the family.

Cindy has not been able to work for three years, with now no set date where she can even contemplate going back to her job. Jason has been working in between Zoe’s major hospitalisations, but they are now at the point where it is clear that Jason will also have to take, potentially, many months off work, having almost exhausted all possible leave.

No-one can control the trajectory of Zoe’s illness or predict what her future will look like. No-one can say how long it will take, or what treatment she will require (and how often) even when she does go home.

There is one thing that we hope to be able to do, and that is to reduce the financial worry for Jason and Cindy when it’s not known how long they may have to be without any income at all.

So, this page is to request financial support for this beautiful family at the most difficult time of their lives. The money raised will go to Jason and Cindy to enable them to get Zoe everything she needs but also to keep the family functioning and the boys able to lead as normal a life as possible.

With grateful thanks.