Kylie is sharing her family’s story for Cancer Council SA’s Giving Day on 19 February, where every dollar raised will be matched in support of cancer prevention, research and support.
On Thursday 19 February, every donation made for Cancer Council SA’s Giving Day will be doubled by generous matched giving partners.
In 2012, Kylie’s dad, Neville, was diagnosed with inoperable oesophageal cancer and he passed quickly, within just two months. Less than two years later, her brother Wayne was diagnosed with multiple myeloma and passed away within three years.
Just six months after that loss, her mum Helen received the same diagnosis. Helen responded well to treatment and got six more precious years with her family.
In 2022, less than a year before Helen’s death, Kylie’s sister Juli-anne was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. The condition is incurable, but manageable.
Kylie said she has moments where she asks why this keeps happening to her family and wondering if she will be diagnosed next.
“When my sister Juli-anne was diagnosed, I found out I was pregnant at the same time. So it was very exhaustingly emotional because I’m excited to be expecting my son but very scared to think I might be losing another family member,” Kylie said.
“We spend a lot of family time together now. We make sure that we are present for the moments that are important and keep sight of the fact that we have still got each other.”
Under the weight of it all, Kylie and her family have decided to focus on hope for the future and for her two boys Maxwell, 6 and Mitchell, 11.
“I’d love a cancer free world for them. It’s a hideous, cruel disease. It doesn’t matter who you are,” Kylie said.
“To see the good in what Cancer Council SA does with research and the facilities that they have to support families like ours, it’s just so important.”
Donations made before 8pm on 19 February will be doubled to fund cancer prevention programs, research and support services for South Australian families like Kylie’s.
South Australians can make a donation before 8pm on Giving Day, Thursday 19 February, to have their donation doubled, until matched funds are exhausted. Donations can be made at givingday.org.au or by calling 1300 65 65 85.
