DANIELLE Heffer’s (nee Capararo) life changed on August 12 last year as she was medivacked from Moree hospital to the specialised haematology ward of the Calvary Mater Newcastle.
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Within 18 hours she was diagnosed with Acute Promyelocytic Leukaemia (APML), a subtype of Acute Myeloid Leukaemia.
APML is an extremely rare form of leukaemia which disrupts red and white blood cell and platelet production causing blood and clotting problems.
It affects less than 100 patients in Australia annually and is a rapid-moving form of cancer with little-to-no symptoms.
It is these characteristics that saw Danielle’s condition quickly transform from feeling healthy (working and chasing after two very energetic sons the day prior to being flown out) to feeling the full effects of cancer within hours.
Danielle's medical team are optimistic and positive about her long-term prognosis however the treatment for APML involves a long and complex chemotherapy treatment which can take up to two years.
She commenced chemotherapy treatment on August 18 at the Calvary Mater Newcastle and had completed her first three chemotherapy blocks in December 2016.
It was at the completion of her third round that Danielle’s medical team advised her that she would require further chemotherapy treatment, a heartbreaking setback which will see Danielle, Adrian, and their sons continuing to live between both Moree and Newcastle until April 2017.
This has placed considerable financial strain on their young family, who until this point, have declined financial assistance.
However family and friends have set up a GoFundMe page to assist the locals through this hard time.
Most recently Danielle was working as the ICT assistant at St Philomena's Catholic School and prior to that worked in the Capararo family business, RLE Computers.
Danielle and Adrian have two young boys, Tristan (aged four) and Theodore (aged two).
Discount Pharmacy donated over $500 worth of products for Danielle and her family during her first round of chemo.
“We’d also like to take the opportunity to extend our deepest gratitude to Dr Brown, the medical staff at Moree Hospital, Moree Ambulance Service, the Air Ambulance team, and the haematology and oncology departments of Calvary Mater Newcastle for their exceptionally swift and thoughtful care of Danielle.
“Also to St Philomena's Catholic School and the local Catholic parish in particular Fr Paul McCabe for their unwavering support for both Danielle and Adrian and the extended family during what has, and continues to be, a difficult and tumultuous time,” said sister Tash Ireland.
Head to www.gofundme.com/390wrkg
