Kylie Barber, centre, with friends Ven Banane and Sharon James. 77164
By Lia Bichel
AFTER months of enduring medical tests, bone marrow biopsies and chemotherapy, Kylie Barber is ready to relax.
Friends have raised money towards a holiday for the Berwick resident, who was diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in August, which affected her back, hips and pelvis.
Sharon James, Ven Banane and Sharon Hawley held a trivia night at Dandenong Club on Friday and raised $9000 which will go towards a holiday for the Barber family as well as accumulating bills.
Mrs James said the community support “blew her away.”
“There were 136 people who attended the event, some of them were strangers to Kylie,” Mrs James said.
“I spent three weeks asking for donations and community and businesses of Berwick were amazing with contributions.”
Mrs Barber said she was overwhelmed by the surprise event.
“No words are enough to explain how humbled I am by all the support,” she said.
“It meant everything to me. It restores your faith in people.”
Mrs Barber’s said the six months have been a trying time for her and her husband Matt and three children 14-year-old twins Sarah and Jordon and six-year-old Georgia.
After several tests, bone marrow biopsies and rounds of chemotherapy, a recent bone scan has given Mrs Barber the all-clear, but the treatment has affected her immune system.
“It’s going to be a slow process, but having this holiday to look forward to with my family helps,” Mrs Barber said.
“I am so grateful to my friends and the people who have put this on. This means a world of difference for me.”
Mrs Barber said she will wait for the doctor’s approval, then hoped to plan a family getaway to Bali.
