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Mum issues heartbreaking plea to help save her little girl’s life.

Iverson “Ivy” Jane Steel is fighting for her life. She was first diagnosed with leukaemia at the age of two-and-a-half. And then again two years later. Now her parents have received the devastating news that Ivy has relapsed again.

They have now been told that her one main shot at survival is not available in Australia and that they will need to travel to Philadelphia in the US for treatment – and this life-saving procedure called CAR T-Cell transplant comes with a $400,000 price tag.

“Frankly, this is an absolutely cruel, heart breaking kick to the guts,” her parents write on a Facebook page.

“I know this sounds like a lot, believe me I know. But I would not be putting this out there if we had any other viable option. And believe me, I have asked. I have proposed, questioned and pleaded for all and any possible options.

“I have been categorically told the answer on all fronts is NO.”

Ivy has a very rare form of leukaemia called Philadelphia Chromosome Positive Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia’ (Ph+ A.L.L). Her Facebook page says that the “overall outcome” status is listed as ‘very poor’.

Mum, Jenna Steel, reports that Ivy has been admitted to the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne after being flown in from her home town of Hamilton last week. She is suffering from severe abdominal pain from a condition called mucositis, an extremely painful side effect of chemo.

“Having witnessed this many times before, it tears my heart to pieces to see my baby go through this yet again. It is just so cruel,” Jenna says.

“There is only so much you can inflict on a child before it breaks your soul and theirs.”

“I am determined to do whatever it takes, ask whoever I can to raise this money. I need my child. I need her to beat this bastard disease again and live. But this is her last chance. I will beg, on my knees with my broken heart open to the world for someone to please help us. I refuse to stand by and let my child die simply because of where we live, poor timing and our lack of financial resources.

“Ivy has been through so much in her short life, she has fought so hard for so long. She is the epitome of strength, bravery and resilience, but this is one fight she can not take on alone.

Ivy deserves this chance to survive. Please help us give her the chance…”

Jenna has listed details of how money can be donated on the Ivy’s Army Facebook page. So far $30,000 has been raised.

UPDATE 25 October

In less than 48 hours Ivy’s Army have raised more than half the amount needed to get Ivy to the US.

An update shared in the last 30 minutes says donations have hit $213,650. AMAZING! Well done to everyone for their support.

We wish little Ivy all the luck in the world.

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  • I’d like to see a followup on this story. What is the outcome now?


    • just thinking the same thing… any news?

    Reply

  • So much has been done for this little girl here in our region, everyone was so happy with her fight only to have the news that it returned. We are all hoping for the best and that she getting the treatment she needs

    Reply

  • Hope and pray Ivy can receive all the treatment she needs in time !

    Reply

  • good luck!

    Reply

  • I don’t understand why life saving procedures cost so much. I hope this little girl gets the help she needs.

    Reply

  • that is horrible to hear. I hope they are able to raise the money in time xox

    Reply

  • Wishing Ivy and her family the best of luck for the future.

    Reply

  • Oh my! They need to raise so much money. I hope they will be able to fly this little girl to Philadelphia for the treatment!! Success! :-)

    Reply

  • I cannot imagine watching one of my children die because I couldn’t afford treatment. How heartbreaking :,( I wish them all the best success in their fund raising

    Reply

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