***UPDATE on how treatment is going for Jacob and Emma Evans:
Emma is starting her treatment in August 2021. This involves chemotherapy to "kill" her diseased bone marrow and then bone marrow transplant from a matched donor. It is a long process, especially if there are rejection/infection issues.
Jacob is now back at school fulltime after completing his treatment. He did have numerous setbacks with infections and lung problems and spent Christmas in Westmead Children's Hospital but is doing really great now. The focus is on ensuring his immunity can deal with what is thrown at it.
We're holding another Online Trivia Night before Emma starts her treatment.
The Online Charity Trivia Night event will be held on Friday 6 August 2021. Tickets on sale now through this link. Only $25 a team member. For further details check out the event flyer below.
Thank for your support, Paula McMahon
Our much loved colleague and paramedic Linda and her husband Steve Evans who is a local primary school teacher and former NSW Police Force Officer need our love and support.
Both their children Jacob (15) and Emma (13) have a Primary Immune Deficiency. This condition is extremely rare and is caused by a mutation of the STAT 1 gene (Gain of Function). This condition has caused the death of some of Linda’s relatives. The condition causes the body to go into overdrive and attack itself, breaking down the mucous membranes causing inflammation, infection and potentially a pathway for cancers. The condition can also lead to other autoimmune disorders such as lupus, chronic respiratory illnesses, diabetes, gastritis, etc.
For the last 12 months both Jacob and Emma have been having replacement immunoglobulin therapy at home via subcutaneous infusions. Jacob has been started on a new trial medication to manage his worsening symptoms. Treating this condition is very complicated due to the various symptoms and resistances to medications.
The next two years are going to be particularly hard for the Evans family. On the recommendation of their treating specialist, Jacob and Emma will both be having bone marrow transplants, with Jacob commencing treatment in the next few months. Linda and Steve have been advised that there are many risks associated with this procedure but it is the only hope for a cure for Jacob and Emma. They will be under go intensive chemotherapy to kill their diseased bone marrow, live in isolation and then receive a transplant of healthy bone marrow from a donor (two matched donors for each from the Australian Registry have been found). This entire process will take between 6 and 18 months per child, depending on the success of the first transplant and whether a second is required. This procedure has not been tested for their particular condition. Whilst the transplant and hospital stay is covered by Medicare, both Linda and Steve will need to to take extended periods of time off work to care for the children both in hospital and when they are in isolated recovery at home. They will need to find the funds to ensure their children’s health and future remain on track.
A group of Linda’s and Steve’s current colleagues, former colleagues and Camden Cricket Club representatives and friends are organising some fundraising such as a future private Charity Trivia Night and online auctions for Jacob and Emma. We are also hoping to raise a significant proportion of funds through GoFundMe. All proceeds will be going directly to them and help them with the costs associated with the treatment and cure they so desperately need.
Jacob and Emma are active participants in school activities at Elderslie High School such as the Agriculture Team, both having success at Camden Show, Penrith Show and the Royal Easter Show. They are also enthusiastic players and members of the Camden Cricket Club. Linda has spent the last 9 years of her her career as a paramedic caring for other people and Steve has taught our kids shaping their futures. Prior to this they were both respected officers in the NSW Police Force. They need our help now.
Your support is appreciated!
This is a Community Fundraising initiative
Organiser: Paula McMahon
Contact: pmcmahon@ambulance.nsw.gov.au
NB: if you are having technical issues, please try any internet browser other than Internet Explorer. If you still cannot complete your donation, please contact andrew@policelegacynsw.org.au .