Family of Melbourne woman, Keisha Wight battling rare disease ‘lost for words’ after GoFundMe raised almost $18,000

The mother of a “kind and compassionate” Melbourne woman battling a rare form of dementia says even if she forgets her birthday she always asks after her beloved dog.

Family and friends of Melbourne woman Keisha Wight, 28 who is battling a rare form of dementia were overwhelmed by community support after a GoFundMe was established.

The mother of a young Melbourne woman battling a rare form of dementia says she would do anything to take her place as donations flood in for the “compassionate” daughter who loved animals and aspired to be a midwife.

Keisha Wight spent her 28th birthday last month in Sunshine Hospital after she was diagnosed with a rare neurological degenerative disease known as Pick’s disease (frontotemporal dementia).

This week, more than $17,000 was raised across 200 donations to help support Keisha’s family with living expenses to allow them to take care of her.

Keisha Wight, 28 was diagnosed with a rare neurological degenerative disease earlier this year.

Raised in Melbourne’s western suburbs by her mother, Nikki Wight, Keisha endured countless visits to specialists and tests over the past year before she was hospitalised in April, where she remains.

Doctors have continued to work tirelessly to rule out any other illnesses that may be affecting her.

Keisha has relied on 24-hour care and support which mostly fell to her mum who struggled to balance work, bills and has exhausted all of her carers leave.

Despite describing themselves as a private family, Nikki gave permission to her daughter’s lifelong friend Jesse Raczynski to establish the GoFundMe page and said she was “lost for words” when she learned of how many friends had dug deep.

Fundraiser and lifelong friend, Jesse Raczynski (left) said Keisha was nearing the late stages of the disease.

“I am extremely overwhelmed and don’t know what to say, I find the donations hard to look at, I get quite emotional” Ms Wight said.

“She has always been one of the kindest and most compassionate people, she wanted to be a midwife and always helped those in need.

“Keisha loved animals, the greatest gift she ever received was her dog Sookie when she was sixteen, some days she forgets her birthday, but she always asks for her dog.

“As a mother I would do anything to take her place or ease her pain, anyone who has known Keisha is heartbroken.

“We appreciate the community so much for all their love and support.”

Keisha has remained in Sunshine Hospital since April and spent her 28th birthday there.

According to fundraiser and lifelong friend Jesse, Keisha’s current quality of life is poor as she is nearing the late stages of the disease, her prognosis was “what we so desperately hoped it wouldn’t be”.

“After a very long and hard road we are having to face the challenge of accepting Keisha’s circumstances,” Ms Raczynski said.

“It’s hard to say how much time she has left on this earth with us, we love her so much and we want the last period of her life to be the best it possibly can.

“To people that know and love Keisha please don’t hesitate to reach out to me, I will kindly pass on messages of love and support to her loved ones, but please respect her family’s privacy at this time.”

Ms Raczynski said the funds would be used to help cover Nikki’s wage for everyday expenses, rent and bills and for anything Keisha may need.