Year 8 Port Macquarie High School student, Sarah Bisco, is in Liverpool in England this week undergoing treatment for a melanoma in one eye. The family left for London on Saturday.
Sarah was recently diagnosed with Iris Melanoma and was told she may lose her eye.
Her doctors made the family aware of an expensive treatment that is available at the Royal Liverpool Hospital in the UK.
This hospital is one of very few in the world that can administer the Proton Beam Therapy that Sarah needs to counteract the melanoma.
Sarah began her treatment at 8.30am on Monday.
The school, with the aid of the Principal Mr Longstaff and the Student Representative Council under the guidance of Mr O’Brien, held a fundraiser for Sarah to help the family offset the cost of travel and Sarah’s treatment.
Students were asked to go to school on Tuesday wearing their best and most colourful sunglasses to support a Melanoma Awareness Day.
Most were happy to donate some gold coins for Sarah and they supported the cake stall and barbecue, bought drinks and bought ribbons. Staff also chipped in generously.
Numerous businesses donated meat, muffins, cakes and drinks to help with the students’ efforts.
Before leaving for England on Saturday, Sarah said she was looking forward to continuing her dancing when she recovers from this ordeal.
Her teachers at the school say she is a highly academic student who is also skilled in sport.
“I admire Sarah a great deal,” an emotional Ms Marchment, Sarah’s Year Adviser said. “She has been dealt a difficult hand but has remained so positive and upbeat. She is a true asset to our school and her strength has been inspiring. A lovelier student I would struggle to find.”
Mr Longstaff, who has been helping the family with details of travel and accommodation in the UK, has been keeping in touch with Sarah’s Mum and Dad, Col and Kate, by email and phone.
Both Col Bisco and his wife Kate have expressed sincere thanks and gratitude for all the help they are receiving from the school community and the Port Macquarie community in general.
Further donations can be made at the front office at Port High which is lodging all monies raised directly into the Bisco family’s bank account.
