Support Taliah Deboer’s family - teen's tragic cancer battle

Hello all

Taliah’s family has asked us to convey that they are extremely appreciative of the support received to date and continued offers of assistance. There is only a one single positive thing to come out of Taliah’s journey and that is the way friends, family and community have come together to wrap their arms around Taliah’s family. There have been many people who continue to reach out, asking how they can help or where to direct a contribution. This GoFundMe is how.

Taliah passed away on 4 September 2025 aged just 19, after a brief but brutal battle with an extremely rare cancer. Taliah's death is as shocking as her diagnosis was unexpected. We had planned this fundraiser to help pay for Taliah's anticipated medical treatments, therapies and management. It is now, tragically, for expenses including funeral costs and for healing as Xanthia, Sarah and Steven seek to come to terms with the devastating loss of their beautiful sister and daughter.

Taliah had been on a gap adventure after completing Year 12, living her best life, travelling and working overseas. Her symptoms were repeatedly misattributed and misdiagnosed. She was too young; she didn't fit the profile. Eventually in March, barely six months ago and a couple of weeks shy of her 19th birthday, Taliah was diagnosed with an incredibly rare form of cancer - bile duct cancer internal to the liver (Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma).

Tals has always been fighter but, despite her courage and determination, the cancer spread aggressively and rapidly. Taliah passed away just 10 days after being told her condition had become terminal and there were no further viable treatment options that could prevent or slow the progress of the cancer. She was still only 19 years old.

If you did not know Taliah, she was a vibrant, confident and independent young woman. She was spirited, strong and determined. She had always known her mind and not been afraid to voice her opinion. She was smart and thoughtful. Fiercely loving and loyal. Mischievous and cheeky.

Taliah always liked to do what she was told she couldn’t and what she was told she shouldn’t. From very young, she seemed to be able to hear the beat of her own drum. She always followed her own path. But never alone. Drawing people to her, gathering and collecting them like treasures, Taliah has an extended network of incredible friends and family who adore her.

Taliah was also bold and brave. She battled her illness like the warrior princess we knew her to be. She did so with courage and with grace and without complaint. She did so despite her debilitating symptoms, and despite her pain. We have borne witness also, in this battle, to the commitment, strength and grace of Sarah, Xanthia and Steven as they fought this disease by her side.

It is incomprehensible that this beautiful young woman, on the edge of adulthood, could be lost so quickly and in such a devastating way. Her family and friends are reeling. The loss is immeasurable; shocking and raw.

We cannot alleviate their pain or grief, but we can try to alleviate some the significant financial toll and provide support to Sarah, Xanthia and Steven to help them through the difficult months ahead. We are seeking your help to do so. For the many people who have so generously already reached out to ask how to help, we hope this GoFundMe campaign will provide a simple and effective way to do so, whilst allowing time for grief and the unfolding of needs.

The funds raised will contribute to the family's costs and expenses (exceeding $40,000) including:

We would also like to provide a "grace" fund for recovery and healing, allowing Sarah, Xanthia and Steven to decide what will best help them during the difficult period ahead, as needs present. It might alleviate back to work pressure, contribute to the beach holiday that Taliah so keenly wanted to share with them at Christmas, or pay for professional grief counselling or even a meal out (or in) to relieve the burden of shopping and preparation. The family are also starting to turn their minds to whether and how best to memorialise Tailah. Some of the funds raised may be used with this in mind.

With these goals in mind, we are aiming to raise $50,000 and would be grateful if you could support Sarah, Xanthia and Steven with a contribution, however large or small.

Please share this with your networks if you’re able.

Thank you for your care and support

Tracy (Fletcher) and Lisa (Bonifant) - Family friends

Taliah’s cancer journey – it could happen to anyone

https://youtube.com/shorts/Lu2n3nnx-K0?feature=share

Taliah completed year 12 in 2023 and decided university was not for her – at least, not yet. Seeking adventure and freedom, she went to the UK for a gap year in 2024 and was having the time of her life, travelling and working.

Taliah started experiencing symptoms while she was overseas but with overlapping colds, flu and other minor health issues, her symptoms were repeatedly misdiagnosed or dismissed. She continued her travels through Europe, not well and unaware of the aggressively growing tumour, but not wanting to let her health issues hold her back.

In early December of 2024, she again went to the doctor in the UK, complaining about her symptoms but this time, had Sarah and Steven on the phone, who pressed the doctor to order up a scan, which he did. The ultrasound was conducted in mid-January 2025 and revealed a primary tumour of 12 centimetres in the liver but without a conclusive diagnosis of its type. What followed over the next few weeks in the UK were an MRI, CT scan, PET scan, liver biopsy, and transbronchial needle aspiration lymph node biopsy, all in an effort to identify the type of tumour, which was now being reported as 15 centimetres.

Taliah flew home to Australia on 2 March, still awaiting test outcomes from the UK. On 11 March, the UK specialist called and confirmed the tumour was cancer but still could not identify its type. Taliah was immediately admitted to the Wesley hospital in Brisbane for a laparoscopic liver and lymph node biopsy. On 19 March, the tumour was finally identified as the rare cancer, intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (cancer of the bile ducts within the liver); a cancer whose average patient age is around 70 and that is almost unheard of, in a teenager.

Taliah immediately started chemotherapy and immunotherapy, optimistic that the cancer could be treated and managed long-term. Unfortunately, these both failed and the cancer continued to spread. She was then extremely fortunate to be accepted into a first-in-human clinical trial for a new tri-specific immunotherapy drug - the 16th person in the world to be accepted into the trial. Three quarters of the way through this treatment however, interim scans sadly revealed that this new trial therapy had also failed and not halted the cancer’s spread. From the primary site within the liver, the cancer ultimately metastasised to her lymph nodes, her sternum, the bones in her pelvis and spine and her brain. It was to such an extent that further treatment was considered futile.

In devastating news, Taliah was told she had only weeks or months to live. Tragically, Taliah survived only 10 more days before passing away on 4 September 2025.