The artists behind the 2011 Good Friday Appeal theme song, “In the Face of a Child”, Rebecca Lee Nye and Billy Bridge will perform at the Wycheproof fundraiser on Sunday, April 5, to raise funds for the worthy appeal.
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Little Zeke Harrison who was lucky enough to receive a liver transplant in December to cure his Maple Syrup Urine Disease is the inspiration for the fundraising event, now in its second year.
Zeke’s dad Corey and partner Laura have been busy preparing for the event which this year takes on the theme of a family fun day.
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Since his transplant, Zeke has been progressing well at home with his mum, Jazmin Hall, in Melbourne. He has just had his t-tube removed out of his tummy, another positive sign in the direction of full recovery. Zeke’s Maple Syrup Urine Disease meant he was restricted to a very low protein diet, an overload of protein presented a life-threatening situation for Zeke pre-transplant. Now with his new liver, three-year-old Zeke is able to enjoy a range of meals he could once only watch others eat and dream about. He was recently treated to a “big breaky” with sausages, baked beans and eggs!
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While the future is looking much brighter for Zeke with his new liver, the road to recovery is still a long and complicate done. Over the last two weeks, Zeke has had high tacro levels (which relates to his anti-rejection medication), but the expert team at the Royal Children’s Hospital has been monitoring Zeke very closely with regular visits and check-ups.
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Due to Zeke’s need to be close to the amazing Royal Children’s Hospital, he may not be able to make it to his fundraiser next Sunday, but that hasn’t slowed the keen organisers in their aim to raise an impressive total for the Hospital.
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Corey said he will forever be in debt for the incredible care given by the huge range of staff, doctors and specialists at the Royal Children’s Hospital for giving his son back his life.
From just days old, Zeke has been a regular visitor to the hospital and has utilised a huge range of departments, from dieticians to the liver transplant team and everyone in between!
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It is the care and treatment received by Zeke and his family through the hospital which inspired the inaugural Zeke’s Fundraiser last year, where Wycheproof raised over $20,000 for the appeal.
This year, Corey hopes to again raise a great total to go straight towards the amazing work carried out at the hospital, something just about every rural person can relate to.
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To be held at the Wycheproof racecourse, the day will include kids entertainers, jumping castles, Easter egg hunt, a sausage sizzle, market stalls and a visit from CFA mascot Captain Koala aboard the local tanker.
Rebecca Lee Nye and Billy Bridge will headline the live music line-up and an auction will take place from 7 p.m. An impressive line up of items is up for grabs thanks to businesses locally and afar jumping on board to support the great cause.
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For more information on the day, the auction items, or how to donate, look up Zeke’s Fundraiser on Facebook or visit www.zekesfundraiser.org.
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SOURCE: Buloke Times 28/03/14. Rose Harris.