Mason Wade’s story strikes a chord with GoFundMe users

What was thought to be something as simple as tonsillitis turned into a deadly brain-damage diagnosis for a Gympie five-year-old. Now, the community is rallying behind his family.

When Mason Wade, 5, started showing signs of a viral infection in July 2022, his mother Tara took him straight to Gympie Hospital.

Not long after being admitted, the young boy was transferred to the Sunshine Coast University Hospital, where doctors suspected more than just an infection at play.

First, they thought the young boy had Kawasaki disease; this then gave way to tonsillitis, then possibly meningitis. Eventually, the doctors decided they were dealing with an “unknown disease”.

That was until Mason started having uncontrollable seizures, prompting a second transfer to the paediatric intensive care unit at the Brisbane Children’s Hospital.

Mason had to undergo test after test, before an MRI confirmed severe brain inflammation, ultimately causing brain damage.

Mason Wade showing off his cheerful grin.

Family friend Belinda Stott is hoping to raise funds to help alleviate the intense financial pressures on the Wade family.

She said the family have been told to expect Mason to remain in the hospital, which is three hours away from their Gympie home, for a minimum of six months.

“With the increase in cost of everything, the Wade family are in need of our help, to help ease their financial worries,” she wrote, on the GoFundMe page.

“Bills don’t stop and they never will, rent, travel expenses, school expenses, groceries, electricity, the list is never ending.”

Mason’s father Phil has been forced to take time off work to support his family.

Mason Wade's family visiting him in the Brisbane Children's Hospital.

Mason Wade and mother Tara share a tender moment in the Brisbane Children's Hospital.

Belinda said she wanted to do anything she could to help the Wade family when she saw how the ordeal had affected them.

“It would be hard on any parent to have to see their usual happy, bubbly and energetic little five-year-old go from their normal usual self one day, to very sick and being admitted to hospital the next, instinctively knowing something isn’t quite right,” she said.

“I was easily inspired to start the GoFundMe page, who wouldn’t be in a time like this?”

“I hope we can take one less stress and worry away for them, and let them be able to focus on Mason’s recovery,” she said.

Belinda said she has been amazed at the community support for the Wade family.

“Within 24 hours we had already hit nearly $1000,” she said.

“Even by sharing the link on your social media, donating the smallest amount, or telling your friends and family about it we can help ease some of the financial pressure for the Wade Family.”

The GoFundMe has raised more than $2,500 so far. You can support the Wade family here.