GoFundMe created for Clonbinane woman Holly Kelly diagnosed with rare cancer

A Victorian woman has been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer and given only 12 months to live, with her friend launching a GoFundMe campaign to help her devastated family.

From left to right: Myla, Kirsty Ohlsen, Luca and Holly Kelly have been through a challenging journey after discovering Holly was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, giving her only 12 months to live. Picture: Supplied

A Clonbinane woman who was diagnosed with stage four cancer in her hip bone, spine, lung and pancreas — the same disease that killer her father — had to sell her home and move into a caravan with her family after being unable to work due to the immense pain.

Kylie Davies has organised a GoFundMe page — which has raised almost $3000 — for her friend Holly Kelly, who was diagnosed with aggressive cancer on November 9 last year.

Ms Kelly sold her home at the start of the year and moved into a caravan with her partner Kirsty Ohlsen and children Myla and Luca.

Her other daughter, Ali, lives with them part time.

Ms Kelly said she was in constant pain daily, which she tried to manage with prescription medication.

“Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t,” she said.

Holly and her children Myla, Alia and Luca. Picture: Supplied

“Some days I’m on the bed or couch-bounded and other days I’m OK and can walk — that’s sort of where I’m at.

“I haven’t been able to go to the shops to walk around and buy products, so my partner has been doing it.

“When I first got diagnosed, we had to sell our house because I couldn’t walk anymore from the crippling pain.”

Ms Kelly said the family took a trip to Queensland hoping to find some treatment options and to tick off parts of her bucket list but her pain became unbearable forcing them to return home.

“I couldn’t do the caravan and stuff anymore and the steps so we came home,” she said.

“Now we’re living with a friend on their property.”

Ms Kelly said her mother had been very supportive, having lost her dad to the same cancer in 2008.

From left to right: Holly, her mother Suzy, and brothers Brett and Sam. Picture: Supplied

“The one that I have is hereditary,” she said.

“My partner is extremely supportive — she’s doing absolutely everything for me and the kids which is absolutely amazing.

“I’ve enjoyed a couple of things and I’ve seen some good places and now we’re back home so we can’t really do much.

“But yeah, we don’t really get to do many exciting things anymore.”

Ms Kelly said it was upsetting she couldn’t spend quality time with her children.

“I don’t know what the word is — it’s horrible for me not being able to get down on the ground and play with them and do those sorts of things anymore,” she said.

Ms Davies said it had been difficult to watch her friend deteriorate.

“Last night (Wednesday) we had dinner with Holly and she was in tears eating her roast turkey — everyday is painful for her,” Ms Davies said.

“This year Holly’s pain has gotten progressively worse as the cancer grows.

“From the life of the party to someone who is struggling to walk from excessive pain.”

Ms Davies said this year had been the hardest the family has ever had to face and that Holly had lost over 45kgs and was given 12 months to live.

“Yet they do it with a positive attitude — never giving up. Continuously trying to find a cure or to make Holly’s pain more comfortable,” she said.

Ms Kelly’s pain management involves a variety of treatments, along with frequent appointments with osteopaths, physiotherapists and naturopaths — all of which have incurred significant costs for the family.

“We don’t really know how much money Holly and her family will need to get through this life-changing journey but we do know that Holly has been off work now for two years with pain and will be unable to work again unless they find a miracle treatment,” Ms Davies said.

She encouraged everyone to come together to support Ms Kelly.

“I know that this year has been tough on everyone but if you have a spare $1, I ask you to think about donating it towards Holly and her family — they are going to need every bit of help they can get.”