Wells-Budd family, Hermidale Hotel publicans hit with cancer tragedy

A farming family in the state’s central west has been torn apart after son Thomas was diagnosed with a rare cancer and forced to undergo gruelling chemotherapy on the other side of the country.

A much-loved farming family left reeling after their newest addition was diagnosed with a rare cancer and forced to undergo gruelling chemotherapy has been torn apart and left at opposite ends of Australia.

Stacey Wells-Budd gave birth to her second child Thomas at Dubbo Base Hospital in western NSW on January 28.

Thomas Wells-Budd is battling cancer and a GoFundMe page has been set up to help his family who hail from Hermidale in western NSW. Picture: Supplied

After noticing what at first appeared to be a birth mark on his arm, Thomas and Mrs Wells-Budd were flown to The Children’s Hospital at Westmead in Sydney.

Tests revealed Thomas had Rhabdomyoscarcoma — a rare form of soft tissue muscular cancer.

To be close to her family and get support, Mrs Wells-Budd and Thomas flew to Perth and started treatment, while Michael Wells-Budd and the couple’s daughter Charlotte Rose, 2, returned to work on the family’s farm and run their business, the Hermidale Hotel, about 215 kilometres north west of Dubbo,

Hermidale farmer and publican Michael Wells-Budd with daughter Charlotte Rose, 2, and baby Thomas who is battling cancer.

Mrs Wells-Budd’s sister, Lauren Hedgers, said Thomas had his first lot of chemotherapy last week and would require another 41 weeks of treatment.

“Every week he has to go for chemotherapy and some weeks there’s up to five consecutive days of treatment, it’s quite intense,” she said.

“I don’t believe any person, let alone a baby, should have to go through what Thomas is going through, it is cruel.

“Stacey left Hermidale a day before giving birth and hasn’t been able to return home since. For Michael it’s extremely hard having to manage the business and their daughter knowing his wife and son are on the other side of the country and he is unable to be there for them. It is an emotional and difficult time for the whole family.”

Baby Thomas Wells-Budd has been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. A GoFundMe page has been created to help his family from western NSW. Picture: Supplied

Baby Thomas is expected to need further therapy after the initial intensive bout of chemo, Ms Hedgers said.

“Until you’re faced with something like this you don’t really get to see what it is like for many families going through a similar diagnosis, it’s truly heartbreaking,” she said.

The couple will now have to “give up” their business because of the uncertain future they’re facing — not knowing how Thomas will respond to treatment and needing to be together to support each other with no income.

“The whole community between Hermidale and Nyngan have been amazing, they’ve helped out in the pub and taken care of Charlotte whist Stacey and Michael have been in Sydney,” Ms Hedgers said.

“The community has really just tried to be there for them any way they can, it’s a credit to the community.”

To try to help the family Ms Hedgers has set-up a GoFundMe page appealing for donations.

“Stacey’s going to have to purchase a vehicle to get Thomas to and from the hospital even though she’s got family here she still is going to have to get her own independence to a certain extent,” she said.

The Hermidale Hotel. Picture: Stephen Cooper

Donations received will go towards flights for Mr Wells-Bud and Charlotte to Western Australia, transport, medical expenses and general living expenses while baby Thomas fights his battle, Ms Hedges said.

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