Cancer patient’s school friends knit flowers to help family

Natasha Sljokic’s friends are showing how much they miss her by knitting flowers to raise money for her family. The seven-year-old is battling cancer for a second time.

Natasha Sljokic, 7, and mum Angela Sljokic at their home in Warriewood.

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The  friends of seven-year-old Natasha Sljokic, who has been unable to go to school this year because she is battling leukaemia for a second time, are raising money for her family.

The Year 2 Sacred Heart Mona Vale pupil was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia aged two.

After three years of treatment, Natasha went into ­remission, but relapsed last September.

This year she had a bone-marrow transplant, which meant she was in The ­Children’s Hospital at Westmead for 71 days straight, which put pressure on the family’s finances.

Front: Claire Biok, Lily Cowper. Back: Bella Lewis, Sienna Beecroft, Natasha Lee, Livia Hilton. Natasha’s friends are knitting flowers for their sick friend.

Now her friends are hoping to cheer Natasha up and raise money to pay off their debts.

Yvette Cowper said her daughter Lily and friends were knitting flowers which they hoped people would buy and donate so they could be sewn onto a quilt for Natasha.

“The children wanted to do something for their friend and we thought we might be able to help raise some money for them at the same time,” Mrs Cowper said.

Natasha’s mum Angela, 40, from Warriewood, said her daughter would remain in isolation at home until October when hopefully her immune system would be strong enough for her to return to school.

Natasha Sljokic with her bird Princess.

“It’s basically her and I at home at the moment,” said Mrs Sljokic, whose husband Paul, 41, has returned to his job as a spray painter after time off while their daughter was in hospital.

“I had to give up work when Natasha got sick and Paul took time off work.

“The costs mount up, driving to and from the hospital, petrol, tolls, food while we’re there.

“When Paul stayed over he had to pay for accommodation as only one parent can stay with the child.

“We are just hanging in there financially. The credit card is almost on the limit.”

The knitted flowers will be sold at Woolworths, Mona Vale, on July 2. There will also be a sausage sizzle, cake stalls, raffle and a signed Manly Warringah Sea Eagles jersey.

To donate go to: gofundme.com/3q5d6t44