South Australian family, the Shelmerdine’s, will be sharing their story in our upcoming Tax Appeal about how a cancer diagnosis for their 12-month-old daughter Poppy, turned their lives upside down for three long, hard years.
Poppy’s story is every parent’s worst nightmare, but thanks to advances in research, like that of Cancer Council Beat Cancer Project funded researcher Associate Professor David Yeung from SAHMRI—which the Appeal will also highlight—Poppy and her family have been able to put the cancer diagnosis behind them and look to the future.
“Our entire world changed in that moment, and our lives were never the same again. It’s been an emotional rollercoaster, particularly as a parent, watching your child go through so much pain.” – Heath Shelmerdine, Poppy’s Dad
Poppy’s story may have been a success, but with cancer being one of the most common causes of death among children aged under 15 years in Australia, there is more childhood cancer research needed.
This Appeal aims to raise $122,400 to fund research like that of A/Prof David Yeung, which aims to develop more effective treatments for different types of leukaemia including a high-risk subtype of acute lymphocytic leukaemia, which is most common in children.
Keep an eye on your letterbox or inbox later this month for more about Poppy’s story and how you can support vital cancer research in the lead up to June 30.
If you don’t usually receive our Appeals and would like to be the first to read Poppy’s story, please sign up to receive Cancer Council SA’s Tax Appeal by emailing Holly Inglis, Direct Fundraising Officer at hinglis@cancersa.org.au