By Bonny Burrows
The Pakenham and surrounding community is rallying behind single mother Caitlin Collins as she fights metastatic colon cancer.
With doctors telling Ms Collins she has a couple of years left to live, family, friends and strangers have come together to help her make some “great memories” with nine-year-old son Tyler before it’s too late.
Since her diagnosis on 25 August, Ms Collins and Tyler have moved in with her mum who will become Tyler’s sole carer once Ms Collins passes.
She has also started fortnightly chemotherapy in the hope of reducing the tumour in her bowel, which is between 10 and 15cm in size.
Her cancer has also spread to her liver and both lungs, the lymph nodes and into the bones.
In a gofundme.com post set up by Ms Collins in the hope of attracting donations to make some lasting memories with her son, the 31-year-old tells of her struggle.
“I don’t really know what to write here as I have never had to ask for help before,” Ms Collins writes.
“I am wanting to be able to make some great memories with Tyler and my family and just be able to do as much as I can with them before it’s too late.
“I am trying to be positive, but I have to face reality.”
Friend Kirsty Pipprell said it was heartbreaking to watch the young mum fade away before her eyes.
Despite her own pain of watching her friend suffer, Ms Pipprell and fellow friend Natalie Bell have organised a fund-raise to support Ms Collins and Tyler.
The aim is to Tyler a fantastic trip to remember for a lifetime.
“Caitlin would love to be able to take Tyler away for a little trip between chemo treatments,” Ms Pipprell said.
“And we just want to help in any way we can.”
The event, held on Saturday 7 October at the Pakenham Golf Course, will be a kids’ mini fete.
Featuring a jumping castle, face painter, children’s characters meet-and-greet and an assortment of foods, raffles and market stalls, all proceeds will go to Ms Collins and Tyler.
“It truly is an event for the whole community to come and have some fun and to raise some much needed funds for Caitlin and her son,” Ms Pipprell said.
“Caitlin really doesn’t deserve this and it would be great to see as many people as possible come support her.”
The fun day will be held from 2pm to 5pm and everyone is welcome.
Search ‘Time with Tyler’ on Facebook for more details.
Alternatively, people can donate to Ms Collins’ cause at https://www.gofundme.com/making-memories-with-tyler-xx.
