For Sam McCormack and his family, 2020 will be a big year.

After being hospitalised for most of his life, the two-year-old is set to undergo further treatment in the new year and will need to relocate to another city.

Sam’s mother, father, twin brother and older sister will fly from Perth to Brisbane to support the sprightly young boy who’s life has unfortunately been struck by a devastating disease called MPS I, Hurler’s Syndrome - a condition with very rapid disease progression, developmental delay, very severe physical problems and a high-chance of early death if not treated.

Having already experienced many touch-and-go moments, Sam’s family  are willing to do anything to give him a better chance at life, which is why the family is moving cities. 

In March 2019, Sam had his first stem cell transplant which meant he and his mother needed to spend three months in a special airflow room to avoid contact with germs. During this time Sam got very sick and contracted veno-occlusive disease (VOD). He was admitted into the intensive care unit (ICU) with a number of life-threatening problems. The stem cell transplant had been unsuccessful and Sam’s own bone marrow was reintroduced. 

To change the course of the disease and give Sam a better chance at life, he will undergo another Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in Brisbane. 

To help the family with this next journey, please donate to Sam McCormack’s GoFundMe page. 

“We really need any help to make this work and any donation would be amazing,” Sam’s mother Bibi said.

“Sam is a smiling beautiful boy who wins the heart of everyone he meets - we can’t imagine life without his presence.” The funds raised will allow the family to be based in Brisbane to support Sam as he undergoes his intensive hospital treatment. As the treatment will take possibly eight months or more, during this time Sam’s parents will not be able to work. The raised funds will cover the family’s basic living expenses during the treatment.