Hi I'm Cathy, I am raising awareness for my girl Sara McGregor, a much-loved daughter, wife, mum of three children and former local business owner whose life has been turned upside down by severe chronic illness.

Before becoming sick, Sara ran a successful local business, was deeply involved in community, and lived a full, independent life. Today, every day revolves around medical treatments and simply trying to keep her body functioning.

After years of worsening health and multiple diagnoses, last year Sara’s bloods were sent to Germany where she was finally diagnosed with Lyme disease and multiple co-infections. Her medical team now believes these infections are the underlying cause of many of the illnesses she has been battling.

Sara also suffers from Autoimmune Encephalitis, a complex neuroimmune condition triggered by Lyme disease and strep infections, where her immune system attacks her brain. The illness affects her brain, heart, liver, kidneys, autonomic nervous system, and cognitive function, leaving her with constant and unpredictable health challenges.

Because Lyme disease is not recognised within Australia’s healthcare system, Sara has been forced to travel overseas for specialised treatment. These treatments, along with much of her medical care in Australia, are not covered by Medicare and must be paid for entirely out of pocket.

In the past year alone, Sara’s medical expenses have exceeded $200,000.

Although her overseas treatment has brought encouraging improvements, her journey is far from over. She will require further overseas treatment, while continuing intensive care at home.

Recently, Sara underwent surgery to have another portacath inserted to allow ongoing intravenous treatment. She now requires medications costing thousands of dollars each week, along with privately funded nursing care to administer them at home.

She is also dealing with a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak and requires specialist assessment, further hospital treatment, and likely surgery. Unfortunately, these appointments have already been delayed because funding simply isn’t available.

This illness has taken an enormous toll on the entire family.

To fund Sara’s care, Michael and Sara have sold their family home, closed their building business, along with selling everything else they could. Michael has become Sara’s full-time carer while also caring for their three daughters, aged 14, 11 and 3, leaving the family without a regular income.

Sara is often bedridden, in severe pain, or experiencing dangerous episodes affecting her heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels. Beyond the physical impact, this illness has taken their security, independence, and peace of mind, while deeply affecting family life for their young girls.

We are asking our community for help.

Your donation will go towards:

If you’re unable to donate, simply sharing this page, preparing a meal, or keeping Sara and her family in your thoughts and prayers would mean more than you know.

Our hope is simple… to give Sara the best possible chance of recovery and the opportunity to enjoy life with her family again.

Thank you for taking the time to read Sara’s story…. Every donation, no matter the size, helps provide access to life-changing treatment that would otherwise be out of reach.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your kindness, generosity, and support.