By Bonny Burrows
Ciara Nelson’s family hopes a $130,000 operation will give the bubbly 18-year-old a chance at a normal life.
The Beaconsfield netballer’s mother, Colleen Nelson, has made a desperate plea for assistance to fund-raise the $130,000 needed for an operation to remove a rare malignant brain tumour growing inside Ciara’s brain stem.
World-leading neurosurgeon Professor Charles Teo has an eight-week window to remove the tumour, which was discovered in June 2016 after Ciara took a nasty fall and hit her head during a netball game, before it is deemed “impossible” to operate.
While “pretty confident” he will be able to remove it, Professor Teo’s expertise come at a huge cost – and it’s one the family can’t afford alone.
“He’s the only one – there’s no other chance. Ninety-nine per cent of neurosurgeons consider it inoperable and won’t touch it,” Colleen said.
The decision to proceed with surgery hasn’t come easy for Ciara and her family, who are well aware of the risks involved, which include blindness.
But the surgery is Ciara’s last shot and, as Colleen said, “as a parent, you will do anything for your children”.
“As much as it’s the scariest of the options … if the tumour grows through chemotherapy and radiation, the window for surgery closes,” Colleen said.
“No one should have to make decisions about very risky surgery, and we are aware of the possible outcomes – Charlie doesn’t shy away from the truth of it – but there still remains hope, hope that Charlie can remove the tumour successfully, hope that Ciara can beat this very rare tumour, and most importantly, hope Ciara can return to a netball court, play sport and have a full life.”
Ciara, a private person, has shown tremendous strength throughout her 18-month battle, and a resilience that has inspired her family and strangers alike.
However, understandably, she has struggled to process the latest news that the tumour has grown.
“She’s scared. She’s an 18-year-old girl facing a life and death situation. But she’s the bravest person I know,” Colleen said.
While no-one could possibly imagine or relate to Ciara’s situation, her story has touched the hearts of the local and wider community since being made public in late 2016.
From far and wide, friends, family and complete strangers have thrown their support behind the Nelsons, offering words of comfort and financial donations.
A GoFundMe page created in December 2016 has gone a long way to raising the funds needed for treatment – with more than $105,000 donated so far.
Gembrook MP Brad Battin has also jumped on board the cause, and has organised a fundraiser for the family to raise the remaining $30,000 needed in a bid to “give this young girl a shot at life, giver her hope”.
He will host an event on 28 January from 2pm at the Beaconsfield Club, Holm Park Reserve, Beaconsfield.
The day’s activities will include an auction, music, entertainment and raffle.
The MP and father said it was the least he could do to help.
“I have two daughters and I can’t imagine what Beaconsfield’s Colleen Nelson is going through as a mother after her daughter Ciara was diagnosed with a rare brain cancer at just 16 years old,” Mr Battin said.
“As a parent myself, I would move the earth to assist my children, and I am asking the public to help Colleen spend more time with her daughter and help us raise $30,000 in 30 days.”
Colleen said that, as a parent, it was hard to ask for public help, but it was necessary to give her daughter a chance at survival.
“I will not give up… I just need your help to create that hope,” she said.
A date is yet to be set for Ciara’s surgery; however it is expected to be in late February.
To donate directly to Ciara, visit www.gofundme.com/ciara-nelsons-fight.
Alternatively, business and tax deductable donations can be made to registered charity the Lynne King Cancer Care Foundation. Donations of $2 or more are fully tax deductible and can be made at: http://cart.lyncares.com/cart?direct=1. Include Ciara Nelson in the payment reference.
To donate goods to the fund-raiser, contact Brad Battin on 0437 995 427 or via email at: brad.battin@parliament.vic.gov.au.
To bid on the live auction, visit: https://www.myminiauction.com/30kin30days4Ciara.
