Kiwi mum nursing young daughter in cancer battle not eligible for funds in Australia
2 May, 2021 10:05 PM
4 minutes to read
The chemotherapy process has been gruelling for 5-year-old Vaitiare. Photo / Go Fund Me
NZ Herald
A Kiwi single mum living in Australia is battling for her daughter as she fights for her life - but the Australian government won t help in one crucial way.
Gladys Hesse has been forced to take extended time off work to care for her 5-year-old daughter Vaitiare after the family were told she had a rare form of cancer.
As a New Zealand living in Australia without a Special Category visa (SCV), Hesse is not eligible for any government support and friends have launched an online appeal to help raise funds to support the family.
When five-year-old Vaitiare was taken to the doctor with a lump on her arm the size of a mosquito bite her parents were told to give her Panadol. Here s how the discovery of the seemingly harmless bump left her fighting for her life
Gladys Hesse took her daughter to the doctor after she complained of sore arm
Doctor said a lump on Vaitiare s elbow would subside and gave her Panadol
But the lump grew and tests confirmed the five-year-old had Ewing s sarcoma