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Emilia’s Brave Battle - Help Support The Bonizzi Family
Hello, our names are Emma & Nick and we are fundraising on behalf of our close friends Alex & Seb Bonizzi. They are a beautiful family of five facing any parents’ worst nightmare.
On Thursday 24th July their lives changed forever. At just 5 years old, their beautiful daughter Emilia was facing the fight of her life. Before this date, her world was filled with the simple joys of childhood; playing with her baby dolls, dancing around the kitchen, creating colourful masterpieces with arts and crafts and cherished family camping trips. She is a caring, happy-go-lucky little girl with a vibrant spirit who brings pure joy to all those who know her.
Within hours, Emilia’s whole life was tipped upside down. She suddenly told her mummy, Alex, that she had lost feeling to her right leg followed then by her right arm. Her speech then changed and she couldn't find the words to finish her sentences. At this point, panic set in. After being rushed to East Surrey Hospital, an emergency MRI delivered the devastating news of a growth at the base of her brain. Within hours of the initial symptoms, Emilia was blue-lighted to St George’s Hospital for specialist care. After a full, in-depth MRI under general anaesthetic, a large aggressive tumour at the base of her brain, posing an immediate threat to life, was confirmed. The whole family is heartbroken.
Emilia is very confused at the age of 5 why she is being put through so much pain but she has been incredibly brave. A strong little girl fighting her way through this. Alex and Seb are so proud of their gorgeous little girl.
The incredible surgeon at St George’s Hospital managed to remove the tumour successfully, which was a huge relief. This was only 4 days after diagnosis. Then they endured an agonising wait for the biopsy results.
Unfortunately, the devastating results arrived on Thursday 7th August. The tumour was an aggressive high-risk Medulloblastoma.
Treatment for Emilia starts imminently. She needs a lumbar puncture on Wednesday 13th August to check her spinal fluid and a number of procedures and appointments following that. Then she will have daily proton beam radiotherapy alongside chemotherapy at University College London Hospital for 6 weeks, followed by 6 months of further chemotherapy.
The whole family are suffering. While the NHS is providing incredible medical care, this diagnosis has brought an immense, unforeseen financial pressure to their family. Alex and Seb are having to take significant unpaid leave to care for Emilia through her journey. They also have two boys who are equally as important and still need a sense of normality and routine.
The loss of income, coupled with the ongoing costs of supporting Emilia through this life-threatening process, are of great concern. If we could help ease their money worries, we would be helping them focus entirely on their little Millie.
How Your Generous Donation Will Directly Help Support The Bonizzi Family Cover The Critical Financial Burdens They Are Facing:
- Lost Parental Income; Alex and Seb anticipate being unable to work properly for the foreseeable future. Your donations will help replace these vital wages allowing them to be by Emilia's side without the crushing stress of lost earnings
- Essential Living Expenses; covering crucial costs like mortgage payments and utility bills to ensure their family home remains a stable and secure environment for Emilia's recovery
- Food; it is important they are eating a healthy and balanced diet to keep their strength up for the duration ahead
- Childcare for Brothers; providing for the costs of their current nursery two days a week for Emilia’s youngest brother and after-school care for Emilia's older brother. Consistency and a sense of normality during this turbulent time is crucial for those boys
- Travel and Parking; the daily 1.5 hour-long drive to the hospital and the significant parking fees will add up quickly over weeks and months of appointments and treatment. Alex is also likely to stay up in London with Emilia from Monday to Friday as the journey will be too much for her alongside the treatment. Your contribution will alleviate these ongoing, necessary out-of-pocket expenses
Please donate an offering to the Bonizzi Family and help support them through this hard time while their darling daughter fights for her life. These donations will provide a vital cushion for their lost income and immediate living expenses.
Your generous donation, no matter how small, will help them focus on Emilia's healing. If you can’t afford to make a donation please share this page to your friends and family. Every little helps, but let’s smash that target and show them how much they are loved!
Alex and Seb will be forever thankful xxx
Organiser and beneficiary
Emma Watkins
Organiser
England
Alexandra Bonizzi
Beneficiary