Three weeks ago, a dear friend Georgie (33) had her life turned upside down when she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer. With this diagnosis, the best course of treatment was to start an intensive program of chemotherapy within two weeks. Her chemo is expected to last for a total of 6 months. 

Georgie, her husband Kael and two children Harry and Poppy who are originally from Sydney relocated to Melbourne for work. They are removed from their immediate family, friends and support networks. 

Due to the current border restrictions imposed by Premier Daniel Andrews and the Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton restricting people in NSW entering Victoria, an exemption for Georgie's mum Katrina to support Georgie and her family in their time of need has been unfairly denied. Katrina is fully vaccinated and from an LGA in NSW with ZERO covid cases. She has been getting a covid test every 3 days (all producing negative results) in anticipation she may be given and exemption to travel to Victoria. Katrina is willing to quarantine and pay for any quarantine costs to be with her daughter and grandchildren. 

The Government has offered NO SUPPORT and provided no valid reason for denying her exemption and entry into Victoria. The best and safest way to offer support to Georgie's and her family is to grant Katrina entry to Victoria, so she can join their family bubble and support her daughter and her family. Katrina will be able to take care of her daughter, her grandchildren, Harry (4 years old) and Poppy (2 years old) and help them process the dramatic physical, emotional and mental challenge that comes with a cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment. 

Following Georgie's first chemo treatment, she was rushed to hospital where she was subsequently discharged at 3am, having no option but to catch a taxi home by herself while Kael was at home with their children.

Kael is juggling full time work to support his family financially as well as looking after Georgie and helping Harry and Poppy navigate a new world with a sick mother with limited energy. The side effects of the intensive chemotherapy treatment mean that Georgie will soon lose her hair and often have limited energy to play with her children. People should not have to go through this alone. 

On July 21st, Mr Andrews stated he had faith in the vaccine and that more freedoms would be granted to those who have been vaccinated. Katrina is not looking to go to Victoria for a holiday, she is a desperate mother trying to get to her daughter and her family.

I encourage Mr Andrews, as a father, to reflect on his own relationship with his daughter and understand if the roles were reversed he would want to do whatever he could for he and his wife Catherine to be by her side and help their daughter, only to be told that a simple request like that is seemingly impossible.

We urge Mr Andrews and his government to find any ounce of compassion and grant Katrina entry into Victoria based on compassionate grounds and essential care required.

Please sign and share this in support of all families separated from loved ones during this time. Put pressure on the Victorian Government to better assess each individual's situation with empathy and get Katrina into Victoria to be by her daughters side as she fights this aggressive cancer. 

And ladies (and gentlemen), please check your boobies, early detection can save lives!