Our* girl Trista is in need of support.

You likely know some or all of her colourful medical history, but a recent prognosis – critical back surgery – has made it clear that Trista and Micca will require a significant expression of fiduciary love to keep themselves and their young family afloat. This is where you can join the group hug.

The backstory: Tris was diagnosed with Grade 3 aggressive breast cancer in 2020 (during COVID), and underwent extreme treatment (chemo through to oophorectomy). She ultimately came out with ‘no evidence of disease’ (AKA ‘remission’). Tris and Micca were managing well, having saved so that Mic could launch his new business. Things were looking grand.

Then came the barrage: Tris was recommended 3 x foot surgeries (stemming from chemo-related issues), and underwent two of them – and then her back gave out. She’s now looking at costly invasive spinal surgery. In our last conversation, Tris mentioned possibly forgoing the surgery through private, and joining the public waitlist. Nice try: her surgeon and GP have explained she’ll likely be in a wheelchair and beyond repair by the time she gets to the front of that queue.

Family medical expenses in general are already piercing the roof. In addition to the back surgery's cost and the required time off work for Tris's convalescence, one of the children has a heath condition which requires constant paediatric and gastroenterologist appointments – which of course Trista and Micca prioritise over their own physical and mental health. The monthly family medication bill (medication only!) currently sits at around $300 per month. It’s a lot.

The McConville’s car has died and been brought back to life multiple times; it’s currently on life support. At the moment Tris is working AFTAP (As Full-Time As Possible) and can’t keep up with general housework; she's often unable walk up or down stairs at the end of the day due to her back pain. Micca leaves the house at 5.30am and gets back after 8pm – and the laundry mountain and dust are taking over.

As you can imagine, Tris’s mental health has taken a significant hit. Walking has always been her meditative act, and she used to clock in 5-10kms as a reliable calmer – now she struggles to get around the block.

She is first to offer help to anyone who needs it, offering rooves over heads of homeless friends, volunteering for charity events, caring for family in whatever way she can, dropping meals round to injured or postpartum friends, looking after dogs, cats, kids, and sending the right message when she senses you might be in a dark spot.

She is the GOAT of nourishing friendships and relationships. In essence, she gives a shit – about everyone. But she’s hopeless at asking for help, and often even accepting help when it’s offered. Let's smother the McConvilles in kindness so they can't get away.

What This Fundraiser Will Support

We’re raising funds to help cover:

Thank you so much for reading, and for swingin' aboard this GFM wagon.

*My name is Zoe Radas, and I've basked in Trista and Micca's friendship for almost 20 years. If we haven't met – I'm so pleased to connect with you through this cause x