Family in fight to save Charlotte
IT WASN'T a good day for the Broady family yesterday.
The Rosewood residents found out that seven-year-old Charlotte had moved into the high-risk category for leukemia sufferers.
That means the youngster will need a bone marrow transplant within two months.
Intensive chemotherapy in coming weeks at Royal Children's Hospital will prepare her ailing body for the transplant.
Charlotte's mother, Lorraine, father Rob and her older brother and sister will be tested for bone marrow compatibility.
This real-life nightmare for the Broadys began when Charlotte fell at Queens Park in January and crushed her spine.
"She was perfectly fine before the fall," Mrs Broady said.
"Four months later, she was still struggling.
"She got really sick with a tummy bug that knocked her for six.
"She developed diabetes from her steroid treatment."
On August 3, the Broadys were given the devastating news that their daughter had leukemia.
A rodeo at Rosewood on September 28 will raise funds for the stricken family, who have lived in the town for 16 years.
"With the money from the rodeo, we want to do home tutoring so Charlotte can continue her studies," Mrs Broady said.
Rodeo co-organisers Renea and Pat Lenihan are members of a tight-knit community at Rosewood.
"My daughter and Charlotte are friends at St Brigid's school," Mrs Lenihan said.
"The school has been really good.
"Charlotte's a very quiet, shy girl but, once she gets to know you, she's a character. She's got a great personality."
Phone Mrs Lenihan on 0407 772 437 with inquiries.
The charity rodeo will be held on Friday September 28, from 7pm at the Rosewood Showgrounds.
A trust fund has also been set up by the Rosewood Show Society at the town's Bendigo Bank branch for supporters wanting to donate.
STRUGGLE FOR LIFE
Leukemias are cancers that affect the blood and bone marrow.
Chemotherapy is a treatment that uses drugs to interfere with the cancer cells' ability to grow and reproduce.
Bone marrow transplant is a process by which healthy cells are infused into the body.
