Stacie Walker fights back against advanced breast cancer, Townsville woman says

A Townsville woman says money gifted by a generous public has begun to help a young mother fight back against advanced cancer. See how you can help.

Stacie Walker from Murwillumbah, northern NSW, is now receiving potentially lifesaving treatment in Düsseldorf, Germany with the help of Townsville woman and GoFundMe campaign organiser Layla Campbell of Townsville.

A Townsville woman says money gifted by a generous public has begun to help a young mother fight back against advanced cancer, albeit far from Australian shores.

Campaign organiser Layla Campbell said on Tuesday that $27,550 of a $100,000 goal had been raised as dear friend Stacie Walker from Murwillumbah, northern NSW, received potentially lifesaving treatment in Düsseldorf, Germany.

She said Ms Walker, mother to five-year-old Elliana, and partner Matthew Young had been too modest to accept financial assistance until it became starkly apparent that she could not receive the treatment she needed in Australia.

“She didn’t want to feel like she owed anybody anything, or if it didn’t work she didn’t want to feel like … she had taken people’s money and it wasn’t successful,” she said.

“But we were able to talk her into it for her daughter’s sake and how good it would be just in case something came of it and it’s seeming more positive now and she is thankful to the people who have been helping her.”

Stacie Walker, partner Matthew Young and daughter Elliana, 5.

Ms Campbell, from Mundingburra, said the woman she considered to be a sister was diagnosed with triple negative multi-centric stage 4 metastatic breast cancer just before her recent 30th birthday but eight months of intensive, painful treatment in Australia had not been able to halt its spread.

“Basically it got to a point here where they said, ‘there’s nothing more we can do’ and it was just palliative-care options.”

She said they were forced to explore their options abroad and had been bravely battling back in Düsseldorf over the last four weeks.

“The cancer hasn’t spread any further and she’s receiving all these treatments, which are quite expensive, but it’s exciting because there’s a glimmer of hope.”

Ms Campbell said that although Matt, who owns a tiling business, was by her side she was devastated by the separation from her daughter.

“There’s been some really tough moments, being so sick she’s worried about if things go south … being worried about not seeing her family, all of that, but its seeming really positive,” she said.

“So she’s pushing through over there with the hope that things are going to turn out really good for her; the doctors over there are amazing with what they can do and the technology and treatments that they have, so that’s keeping her spirits up.”

Ms Campbell said the family had self-funded much of the ongoing costs associated with the treatment in Australia and Germany, but every dollar contributed to the cause was greatly appreciated.

“Every dollar is a step and a day longer that she can stay in her treatment,” she said.

“Even if it’s just the smallest amount that will add up … it would be pretty devastating to be having this kind of progress and hope and then get to a point where she can’t afford it anymore and to stop.”

Ms Campbell said Ms Walker – in her second fight against cancer in her short life – was the type of person who would do anything for others, “which is why so many people have been so generous”.

“She’s a very loving, protective human.”

You can help via the GoFundMe campaign HERE.

Originally published as Stacie Walker fights back against advanced breast cancer, Townsville woman says