Townsville Bulletin

A courageous little girl dares to dream

FAMILY AGONY IN CHILD’S GRIM BATTLE

- NATASHA EMECK

THE parents of a “cheerful” nine-year-old girl with a lifethreat­ening lung disease have put together a bucket list of things she wants to do while she still can.

Ayr couple Adam and Nicola Le Blowitz are making every day they have left with their daughter Georgia count, after a devastatin­g diagnosis revealed she had a rare genetic mutation, GATA-2, and aplastic anaemia disorder where her bone marrow was failing to produce enough blood cells.

Despite receiving a successful bone marrow transplant from her 10-year-old brother Dallas last June, Georgia soon developed multiple complicati­ons, including a condition that occurs when donor bone marrow attacks the recipient.

Mrs Le Blowitz said this left Georgia with a life-threatenin­g lung disease, sadly forcing her to enter the palliative care stage of her journey.

“We started a treatment called ECP (extracorpo­real photophere­sis) in Easter, but it hasn’t worked at all, and Georgia’s lungs have progressiv­ely worsened,” she said.

“She’s on full-time oxygen and no longer able to travel.

“The doctors have exhausted all treatment options so far, which is devastatin­g for us.

“Now, our main focus is just spending quality time with Georgia.

“She had a scare last week. Her dad’s also taken work off, so we can just focus on making every moment count with her.”

Mrs Le Blowitz said they had put together a four-item bucket list of Georgia’s “greatest wishes” she wanted to do while she’s still well enough.

A Gofundme has been set up to help Georgia’s family make her wishes become a rea l i t y , w h i c h has so far r r a i s e d m o r e t h a n $16,000.

Mrs Le e B l o w i t z said they y w o u l d also like e to encour- age those e who know w Georgia to o please get t in contact t to speak to o her and have a laugh and keep her smiling.

“Any help people can give would be greatly appreciate­d,” she said.

“We’d also like to thank

the th Cchildhood Cancer Support organisati­on who helped us with accommodat­ion and made sure we could stay together as a family with Georgia during those tough months she was in Brisbane for treatment. They really do some amazing

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 ?? ?? Ayr girl Georgia Le Blowitz, 9, has penned a bucket list after being diagnosed with a lifethreat­ening lung disease. Pictures: Supplied
Ayr girl Georgia Le Blowitz, 9, has penned a bucket list after being diagnosed with a lifethreat­ening lung disease. Pictures: Supplied
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- r . - e g work.”

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