Community rallies for Calliope girl Alice Morley after devastating cancer diagnosis
What started out as a droopy eye for a three-year-old Calliope girl now sees her life, and the lives of her parents, face an uncertain future.
Gladstone
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What started out as a droopy eye for a three-year-old Calliope girl now sees her life, and the lives of her parents, face an uncertain future.
Alice Morley was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma cancer in June after her parents, Sian and James Morley, noticed her right eye was more ‘winky’ than usual.
The little girl was born with a condition called ptosis, which causes the upper eyelid to droop and requires a check up every six months. A condition doctors in April told Alice’s parents was fine.
After increasing concern and more GP visits, three infections were later discovered in Alice’s right eye.
Alice was taken to Brisbane for an urgent appointment where Alice’s parents finally learnt the devastating truth their three-year-old daughter had an isolated tumour in her right eye.
While Alice undergoes chemotherapy and radiation, her parents must find a way to fund her medical bills as well as find a place to live as they relocate to Brisbane from Calliope.
To help with their financial hardships, family friend Sarah Gallagher has created a GoFundMe page for the family.
So far $6,475 has been raised of a $10,000 goal.
“This fundraiser was set up with the intention to help the Morley family during this devastating time as only one parent will be able to work for at least the next six-month period while they stay in Brisbane,” Ms Gallagher said.
“The funds will also be used towards housing for James and the boys while they wait for a house to become available that will accommodate the whole family, school fees for the boys’ new school in Brisbane, as well as assisting with the ongoing medications.”
Ms Gallagher said Sian and James were active members of the Calliope community who were ‘always the first ones to help’.
“(They) are never ones to ask for help themselves, which is why I am setting up this fundraiser for my dear friends who are loved by so many,” she said.
“The best way we can all help is to relieve the financial stress for Sian and James so they can focus on what’s important right now – Alice’s health and looking after their family.”
If you would like to donate, click here.
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