By KATIE DE VERTEUIL
A MUM’S battle against cancer has been significantly helped by the community with a total of $21,000 raised at last Thursday’s ‘A Night for Nicole’ fundraising event at Noosa’s Waterfront Restaurant.
Organised to support Peregian Springs’ family the Tsesmetzis as mother Nicole fights to save her life against a rare bone cancer ‘chondrosarcoma’, the event was completely booked out and could not have been a greater success.
Nicole who was diagnosed in July 2014 has since undergone radiation therapy and numerous surgeries to relieve horrendous pain caused by a tumour in her back.
Unfortunately while the 8cm tumour that was pushing on the spine and spinal cord was removed from Nicole’s back late last year, surgeons weren’t able to remove the entire tumour and in December last year Nicole underwent 10 radiation treatments. The cancer has however now spread to Nicole’s lungs and the ongoing treatment needed is currently only available overseas at the cost of $100,000.
Event organiser and Nicole’s aunt Tammy wished to thank the community for their overwhelming support.
“We would have been stoked at $10,000 so to have more than doubled that is just incredible,” Tammy said.
“The money raised will take a big chunk out of funds needed for Nicole’s treatment.”
Special thanks go to Noosa Waterfront for hosting the event and the various businesses that donated products for the evening.
While $21,000 is a significant amount, there is still a large price tag for the Tsesmetzis’ to bare.
To support the family, tickets can be bought in a major raffle to be drawn on 20 June at the Pool Café in Peregian Springs, from 6.30pm.
Up for grabs are five major prize packs kindly donated by 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 Nicole’s family will be going door-to-door around Peregian to sell them.
A fund-raising website has also been set up at www.fightforlifefund.com.