Thousands raised for teens orphaned in central Victoria as mum Johanna Edwards dies

Two teenagers now living in Creswick had their lives uprooted after their mother was diagnosed with cancer and died within weeks.

Baranduda woman Johanna Edwards (middle), 48, died in Creswick just weeks after being diagnosed with an aggressive abdominal cancer. Picture: GoFundMe

Two teenagers have been left orphaned in central Victoria after their mother died just weeks following a cancer diagnosis.

Baranduda mum Johanna Edwards, 48, appeared “perfectly healthy” before being diagnosed with an aggressive abdominal cancer on January 13.

Despite being told she had two years to live, Ms Edwards began to feel “excruciating pain” around Australia Day, came to Ballarat for treatment, and died on February 20.

Her children, Zahra, 16, and Jesse, 14, were uprooted and forced to take the term off school.

They are now are living with a relative in Creswick.

Johanna Edwards. Picture: GoFundMe

Nearly $30,000 has been raised online for the children.

“The sudden passing of their mum has meant that Zahra and Jesse have had to leave their home and friends and are now being cared for by Jo’s brother Jonathan interstate, after also losing their father a few years ago,” organiser Simon Duff, from NSW, said.

“Our aim is to raise money for Jo’s children so they have the financial support they need to carry on with their personal goals and endeavours, through this very difficult time and into the future.

“No child should have to endure the loss that Zahra and Jesse have had to endure, and we want to do everything we can to provide them with stability, security and love.”