By JOLENE OGLE
PEREGIAN Springs family the Tsesmetzis are facing an unimaginable heartache as mother of one, Nicole, fights to save her own life.
Since being diagnosed with the rare bone cancer chrondrosarcoma in July 2014, Nicole has fought to stay alive, enduring unsuccessful radiation therapy and numerous surgeries to relieve horrendous pain caused by a tumour in her back.
Nicole’s doctor Dr Bruce Whelan said an 8cm tumour that was pushing on the spine and spinal cord was removed from Nicole’s back late last year, but surgeons weren’t able to remove the entire tumour.
“After just four months, in November 2014, the tumour had returned, compressing Nicole’s spinal cord,” Dr Whelan said.
“She required another surgical procedure.”
In December last year, Nicole underwent 10 radiation treatments at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane, but sadly the cancer has continued to progress and has now spread to Nicole’s lungs.
The cancer is now being treated by a trial drug called LDE225 which the family is hoping will be successful, but Nicole, 32, will need ongoing treatment that is currently only available overseas and comes with a price tag of $100,000.
In true Noosa style, the local community is coming together to help support the Tsesmetzis family; Nicole, husband Manos and daughter Polly-Anna.
A Night for Nicole fund-raiser will be held tonight at the Noosa Waterfront Restaurant from 7pm. Event organiser and Nicole’s aunt, Tammy, said the fund-raising dinner had received great support, with only six seats left.
Tickets are available now and are $85 per person with all proceeds from the night going straight to Nicole and her family to help fund the international cancer treatment.
There is also a major raffle that will be drawn on 20 June at the Pool Cafe in Peregian Springs, from 6.30pm.
Up for grabs are five major prize packs kindly donated by local business owners including a vehicle service up to $400 at Pacific Motor Group, a $100 clothing voucher by Boom Shankar, one week accommodation at 10 Hastings Street for four people, and so much more.
Tickets are only $2 and are available from the A Night for Nicole gala dinner tonight, or Nicole’s family will be going door-to-door in Peregian to sell the tickets.
Nicole’s family have also set up a fund-raising website, www.fightforlifefund.com if you would like to support Nicole in her quest for cancer treatment.
