By XAVIER SMERDON
THE family of a gravely ill little girl said they have been touched by the way the Wyndham community has come together to support them.
Four-year-old Alexandra Miller was diagnosed with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), an extremely rare tumour located in the middle of the brain stem.
The tumour only affects children and is incurable, with Alex initially only expected to live for up to two more years.
To make her family’s pain even worse, Alex’s father Andrew was forced to quit his interstate job so he could spend as much time as possible with his daughter.
Next month her extended family will be holding a fundraising event to raise money for medical and associated expenses.
The day will be held at the Altona Lacrosse Club in Altona North and it will include a range of activities including a sausage sizzle, an animal farm, rides and face painting.
Andrew Miller said Alex had completed her intensive course of radiation and would be starting school this week.
“She’s been doing really well. We had an MRI scan last week and we’re just waiting on the results,” Mr Miller said.
“We’re really glad that the radiation is finished because she just hated that. To see her go through that rips your heart out.
“She’s had all the treatment she can have and now it’s just a waiting game.”
Mr Miller said the community had shown his family more support than he ever expected.
“It’s unbelievable. It’s very humbling,” he said.
“You kind of feel like an Aussie battler and you don’t want to ask for help but everyone has just come together and we don’t know what to say.
“It’s overwhelming at times.”
Alex’s fundraising day will be held on Sunday 9 February from 10am to 4pm at the Altona Lacrosse Club, 53-65 Mills St Altona North.
