Support Summer's Fight Against Cancer

Today marks a very special day, our beautiful little Summer girl turns 3. To family and friends, Summer is the light of our lives. She is a character. She is smart, funny, caring, always happy. She is so much like her mother April, with her big blue eyes and a laugh that makes everyone smile. Like her dad Clint, she loves fishing, nature, the outdoors. I write this with a heavy heart that my niece has a long journey ahead of her. 

Throughout last year, my sister April expressed strong concerns to several GPs and hospitals of Summers ongoing health issues. April ensured to receive second and third medical opinions as her intuition was telling her something was wrong. Each visit, Summer was overlooked and misdiagnosed for weight loss, snoring/sleep apnoeas, dyspnoea, and altered speech. 

On the 20th of December, Summer was transferred from Sunshine Coast University Hospital to Lady Cilento QLD Children's Hospital by ambulance and placed in an induced coma in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit for 6 days in a critical but stable condition. During this time, we received the devastating news that Summer has  a rare form of childhood cancer.  

Summer awoke from her coma on Boxing Day and the Oncology Services Group began chemotherapy immediately. She is currently undertaking this intensive protocol chemotherapy treatments on a weekly basis that is expected to last approximately 12 months. Thereafter, she will be in remission for 2 years. As Summer progresses through treatment, she may experience a series of side effects associated with treatments including: nausea, vomiting, constipation, alopecia, increased risk of infections due to suppressed immune system functioning, weakness and muscle deterioration. Summer's care needs will escalate above the care needs of a child her age. She will require extensive support with daily activities such as showering, walking and dressing. These side effects are expected to worsen over the coming months as her treatment intensifies. 

Summer will need specialised care for the entirety of her treatment. This is a full-time responsibility that April will be required to prioritise. April will be unable to return to work or continue her educational studies. The next 12 months, Summer will be reliant on receiving her nutrients via a nasograstric (NG) tube attached to a feeding bag. Radiaotherapy will also commence some time during this year.  It has been confirmed that Summer will suffer from infertility.

We have created a Gofundme page to raise awareness, and if you feel that you would like to share your support in whatever way possible, please feel free to do so. Her diagnosis was unexpected and this treatment will strain the family finances significantly. As I am sure you can understand, this is a very difficult time for April, Clint and both families as we adjust to Summer's diagnosis and support her through treatment. 

Funds raised will go towards living expenses (accommodation, transport, food, parking etc), medical costs (medicine, NG feeding material, syringes, port-a-cath patches etc) and general support costs for Summer's fight against cancer.  

Other ways that you can support are through giving blood via the Australian Red Cross Foundation https://www.donateblood.com.au. Food vouchers, fuel vouchers, in-home support services, early learning programs and experiences for Summer will all help contribute to her healing and recovery. April's sisters Natalie, Gemma and I will be hosting a fundraising event called "Sounds for Summer" filled with music, markets and prizes. For donations or to be involved in "Sounds for Summer", please contact me via facebook Jasmin Cunningham or instagram @jasmin_sylvia. 
 
Home | Australian Red Cross Blood Service
Discover how blood donation works and who it helps. Eligibility.
www.donateblood.com.au

Thank you for your support in this fight. We are all praying that our little princess is going to make a full recovery. Every child should have the opportunity to grow up and become whatever he or she wants. Thank you again for helping make this dream come true. 

With love & gratitude,

Jasmin xxx

"We don't know how strong we are until being strong is the only choice we have." Childhood Cancer Awareness

"No child too small, no battle too big. FIGHT LIKE A KID." Childhood Cancer Awareness

"I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest  girls.   I believe that tomorrow is another day, and I believe in miracles."
A. Hepburn