Freyja's Make-A-Wish tote bag
AU$16,11810 raised $9,250 stretch target 10hrs left
Meet Freyja - "Be plastic free"
This tenacious little mermaid is seven year old Freyja. Freyja is currently fighting clear cell sarcoma, a very rare form of cancer. Recently, Freyja was granted a wish by Make-A-Wish to see wild dugongs and dolphins in Queensland as part of her much bigger wish to raise awareness of the plight of dugongs and other marine life. But, Freyja's wish ran much deeper than seeing these beautiful animals, Freyja wants you to help rid the ocean of the plastic we've put there.
Her passion for the environment and reducing the amount of plastic in our oceans is absolutely inspiring. While on her wish Freyja and her family walked the beaches picking up rubbish and during a recent hospital visit Freyja organised a meeting to reduce the use of plastic within the hospital - she really is one driven young lady!
Reducing plastic
Together we can limit the use of single use plastic. Starting with one small step, we can make a difference to the devastating consequences it has on our oceans. One of the most direct ways to begin to address this issue is to replace single use plastic bags with just one reusable bag. It only takes one small change to make a big impact, bringing a tote bag along to the shops can start to reverse the damage that has already been caused.
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As part of her quest to save the dugongs and dolphins, Freyja has taken it upon herself to design her very own tote bag inspired by her recent visit to meet dugongs and dolphins.
You can help this little girl realise her dream by funding the production of the tote bag and helping get it out to the public.
Raising awareness
We want to make this tote bag into a reality and help Freyja spread awareness to rid the ocean of single use plastic. Freyja designed the artwork for this tote bag to represent the dugongs and dolphins that are at risk because of the enormous amounts of plastic in their home, the ocean. Along with her sister's excellent assistance this hand drawn artwork came to life and allows you to not only show your support to Make-A-Wish, but also help towards combating the single use plastic issue.
Freyja's story
- by mum Lizzie
December 2016 and my three daughters had just finished a fun filled day of horse riding. With lots of giggles and chatter about the day, washing Freyja's hair and listening to her excited talk, my focus shifted slightly as I found what seemed like a hard lump on Freyja's neck which I had not felt before.
Many tests and scans followed, throughout January 2017, then I received the devastating news that my little Freyja had a very rare form of cancer. Freyja's cancer was so rare that it took a team of international specialist to identify. The diagnosis given to me was Clear Cell Sarcoma.
The location of the tumours was thought to be inoperable. Fortunately for Freyja the Oncologist assigned had a reputation to never give up! The prognosis of Clear Cell Sarcoma is guarded, mainly because the disease is difficult to catch early and is prone to relapse. Typically, patients have not lived beyond 12 months from diagnosis, a bleak prognosis. As Freyja was diagnosed in December 2016, I was left with the reality that I may only have five to six months to save her life. Freyja was started on Immunotherapy in February which slowed the disease, but did not offer a cure. After nine months we were going home, I thought wow Freyja is still here, she has a chance. Another round of Immunotherapy started in December and once again showed a response by slowing down the disease, but not curing it. After terrible side effects it was decided in January that this treatment would need to stop.
Then a miracle happened. After ringing around to find alternatives, 37 surgeons who wouldn’t operate and hospitals refusing admission onto new trials, a chance encounter led us to the amazing Melbourne team and a new DaVinci robot. Freyja would be the first child of her age to undergo this ground breaking surgery.
The surgery was a success. 28 treatments of Radiotherapy followed and Freyja had wasted away to 19 kilos. Then we were sent home to rest. Unfortunately, once again, she was not completely cancer free and started a new 12 month treatment in August 2018.
Freyja remains unwell due to the side effects. But I must remain hopeful. Freyja is now seven years old and has a real chance at life. Meanwhile we are dreaming of dugongs and dolphins.
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Budget Overview
Where will your support actually go?
Well...
Our goal is to cover the $3,550 cost for the production of 1,000 tote bags with Freyja's artwork. This will allow us to create a tote bag we will sell on our website to help combat single use plastic and support Make-A-Wish to help more wishes like Freyja's come true.
With your help Freyja will see the impact she started, long after she met the dugong and dolphins.
