On the 19th of July 2025, our good friend and colleague Paul, his wife Michelle, and their family had their lives changed in an instant.

That Saturday morning, 5-year-old Mikayla was out on the soccer field, doing what she loves, when her brother noticed something strange — her eyes appeared crossed. She didn’t feel any pain or vision problems, but her parents knew something wasn’t right.

A visit to the GP quickly turned into a trip to the hospital. After an MRI, doctors delivered the devastating news — a lesion had been found on her brain, and she needed to be transferred immediately to Westmead Children’s Hospital.

There, specialists confirmed what no parent ever wants to hear: Mikayla had a tumour on the top of her brain stem, most likely an inoperable brain tumour. A biopsy confirmed their fears — she had DIPG (Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma), a rare and aggressive brain cancer that attacks the central nervous system.

There is no cure. Radiation can help shrink the tumour and buy time, but the average prognosis is only 6–9 months.

Despite this crushing news, Mikayla’s courage has been nothing short of inspiring. She has already begun a 6-week radiation treatment program at Westmead and is tackling it with the bravery of a true warrior. Her smile and determination in the face of something so unfair are a testament to her strength — and to the love and support of her incredible family.

We can’t take away their pain, but we can help lighten the load. This GoFundMe is to raise as much as possible to support Paul, Michelle, and their children — both now, as they focus entirely on Mikayla, and in the future, for medical costs, household bills, and any other needs that arise during this heartbreaking journey.

No amount is too small. Every donation, every share, every message of support will mean the world to this family who are enduring the unimaginable.

Please join us in standing beside Mikayla and her family as they fight to beat the odds.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.