Plea for blood donors as Launching Place girl Charlie Fraser, 4, fights rare brain cancer
A fundraiser for a little girl battling a rare brain cancer has raised an extraordinary amount in just a few days. Now she needs Victorians to consider a different kind of donation.
Charlie Fraser, 4, emerged from a 21-hour-surgery to tackle a tennis ball sized brain tumour asking for sushi and trying to tickle her dad.
The plucky preschooler needed 53 units of blood during the marathon operation, which is just the beginning of her battle against a rare and aggressive cancer.
The Yarra Valley girl is only the fourth Australian to be diagnosed with CNS neuroblastoma in the past 15 years.
Daniel Fraser said his little girl had a long road ahead including six months of chemotherapy, further surgery and a trip to the US for specialised treatment not available in Australia.
“She’s a fighter,” he said.
“After being in an induced coma for three days she woke up asking for sushi and trying to tickle me.
“She also pulled out her feeding tube!
“It was a relief to see she’s still Charlie. She’s still the tough little character she’s always been.”
Mr Fraser and wife Kate are “enormously grateful” for the support his family is receiving from the Yarra Valley community, especially the couple’s cricket and netball clubs.
An online fundraiser has generated $95,000 of its $100,000 target in less than a week and the Fraser freezer is bursting with meals delivered by friends and family.
Mt Evelyn Cricket Club and Powelltown Football Netball Club are also planning a community event to raise more money to support the Launching Place family.
Charlie will likely need more blood transfusions during her next surgery and the family is hoping those who can’t spare any cash for their cause will consider becoming blood donors.
“Blood donors saved our little girl’s life,” Mr Fraser said.
“We know she’ll need more blood but it’s not just about Charlie.
“There will be others out there who need it.
“Our focus is on Charlie, but we’re hoping we can help encourage more people to give blood.”
Lifeblood Executive Director Cath Stone said that it was likely that many Australians didn’t realise the role blood donation played in supporting people with cancer.
“As we see the number of cancer diagnoses increasing, we’re also seeing an increase in the demand for blood to help cancer patients through their treatment,” she said.
“Supporting people with cancer is one of the greatest reasons to donate.”
To find out about donating blood, plasma, or platelets, phone 13 14 95 or visit lifeblood.com.au
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