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DUBBO UNITES FOR LITTLE QUINN
By TIJANA BIRDJAN HAVING advanced to the next stage of her treatment, Quinn Wiatkowski, 4, well and truly has the support of the Dubbo community who are fighting her battle beside her. In April, Quinn was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) and is currently in Sydney for her treatment with her parents, Jeremy and Sheridan, and her baby sister Niamh. Reaching her second stage of treatment, Quinn received her first block of high-risk medication which is a blend of chemotherapy and methotrexate. Quinn’s godmother Kathleen Cheney said that Quinn is in hospital for six days at a time after her high-risk treatments. “It’s a heavy treatment so she has been feeling worn out and tired because of the high dose,” Mrs Cheney said. “The methotrexate reduces the activity of the immune system and reduces inflammation after the treatment.” Recovery is a day by day process depending on Quinn’s blood levels and physical health. Mrs Cheney said the three blocks of treatment are the same dosages throughout period. “Due to the intensity of the treatment, Quinn has to have no serious infections, making sure that she is functional and has adequate blood results,” she added. Quinn’s high-risk treatment blocks were postponed a week due to the lack of blood available in Australia. “Blood donations are so important, and we encourage people to donate as often as they can,” Mrs Cheney said. As the local community has learned about Quinn’s treatment, there has been an increase in blood donations in Dubbo. “A lot of people have reached out and
offered to help, and donating blood is one way that you can,” she said, adding that people are literally saving lives by donating. “You are not only helping Quinn, but helping save other lives,” Mrs Cheney said. Quinn’s godfather, Stuart Rae, organised an auction night for her late June, raising more than double of what he expected to make. Mr Rae said there were 311 ticket sales with a total of $123,800 raised. “We had more than $60,000 worth of items, but people were extremely generous, with items selling for two or three times their worth,” Mr Rae said. “When I told Jeremy and Sheridan about the results, they said that they could not accept the donations,” Mr Rae said. They were amazed by the outcome. “People who don’t even know the family came to the auction night to support them and spend money.” The money will not only help the family throughout the treatment but be of use when they return home to Dubbo. “It’s great that we can help and support them now while they both aren’t working, but rather than having to dip in to their savings and to struggle when they come back for the next three or four years, (the Dubbo community’s generosity) can help make it a much more comfortable process,” he explained. “The community has been incredible throughout this period.” Narromine Christian School and the Dubbo Kangaroos Rugby Club are among the local organisations that have also donated. Quinn and her family are not likely to be able to return home any time soon – they anticipate they’ll need to stay in Sydney through the Christmas period.
Parents Jeremy and Sheridan Wiatkowski in a fun moment with their two daughters, Quinn (right side up) and Niamh (upside down). PHOTO: EMILY LOUISE PHOTOGRAPHY