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One of my young friends, Matthew Temby who is just 13 years old, has recently been diagnosed with cancer. I know Matthew through my involvement with the Doreen CFA where Matthew is a Junior Brigade Member and his dad, Steve, is a Brigade Officer. Steve was heavily involved in the fires on Black Saturday in the Humevale area where he very nearly lost his life in a very harrowing experience and is now faced with another unimaginable challenge.

Matthew unfortunately has a type of thyroid cancer for which there is currently no known treatment and, sadly, surgery is not an option. Matthew relies on a tracheotomy tube just to breathe and will continue to do so for the rest of his life. I have attached a brief letter from Matthew's oncologist to verify Matthew's condition.

Recently Steve and his wife Linda were delighted to hear that Matthew had been accepted to participate in a trial of a medication that may give some relief to his condition. This trial, which is only being offered to just 30 children and young adults, will take place at the US National Cancer Institute in Bethesda which is about an hour's drive from Washington DC.

The program under which the medication will be administered requires Matthew, and a least one of his parents, to stay in the Bethesda area for 10 weeks initially, and to then attend one week every two months for at least a year thereafter. The second year of the program will be varied according to Matthew’s health and the benefits derived from the program at that point, however it will also involve numerous trips to Bethesda, health permitting.

While the medication, any hospitalisation and basic accommodation is being provided free of charge, there are numerous other costs which are not covered. Air fares, transport, travel insurance, phone and internet charges are just some of the costs that have to be met by the family. When you consider the number of trips, the cost of international travel along with the incidental costs, and the burden that the family faces in general, you will understand that there will be a tremendous drain on the family's financial position. The likely expenditure is estimated to be around $100,000 in the first year.

In addition, I hope that the family will be able to take time out, on occasions, to enjoy holidays and trips that would not otherwise occur. Hopefully they will have many happy adventures as a family and many great memories moving forward. Obviously finding the additional funds required to achieve this while travelling back and forward so often as well as coping with whatever is in front of the family will be virtually impossible.

TLC for kids have established a trust account in Matthew’s name and are organising an appeal to help the Temby family. The purpose of this appeal is to seek your donation in support of a deserving family.

I am sure you will join me in wishing Matthew every success in the USA so please consider providing some financial assistance as well.


Robert Bury
Trustee
The Matthew Temby Fund