A local support worker and mentor needs the community’s help to battle her journey through cancer and recovery.
A Go Fund Me has been set up for Diana Connell who is battling cancer and unable to work her job at McAuley Community Services for Women in Footscray.
The Go Fund Me was created on behalf of the New-Zealand born woman and her cousin Karina Small said the main motivation is to try and alleviate her financial stress.
“Diana is awaiting surgery to remove two cancerous tumours in her leg, the recovery process is expected to span four months given everything goes as planned,” she said.
“Diana’s move to Australia occurred during the time the federal government changed the laws to make it very difficult for New Zealanders to become permanent residents or citizens or to access support services.
“Diana has made Australia her home for more than 20 years and has continued to work and contribute to taxes and the community, but is now unable to access support services that she needs.”
So far more than $7000 has been raised of the $12,000 target, which Ms Small said will go towards a range of things.
“Now that she’s unable to work as she normally would, she just doesn’t have the funding there to assist with medical expenses,” she said
“She is struggling to cover rent, living expenses, and essential medical costs, this will help keep a roof over her head and put food on the table.”
Ms Connell works as a lived experience consultant for McAuley with her role involving her drawing on her experience as a victim-survivor of family violence in order to assist in designing programs for women and children.
In addition, Ms Connell also helps to mentor other victim-survivors, who want to get involved in advisory and advocacy work and represents McAuley in its community education work and advocacy to the government.
Details: www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-dianas-medical-journey
