Riverlanders rally for Billie’s battle

SUPPORT from the Riverland has helped raise nearly $7000 for a local family whose young daughter is battling a rare form of cancer. 

Loxton three-year-old Billie Stockmeier is currently undergoing chemotherapy treatment in Adelaide, after being diagnosed with a Rhabdoid tumour earlier this year.

Billie’s mother, Renee Cox, said the initial diagnosis was received on March 23. 

“(The GPs said) she was having growing pains, and that was the reason for the pain in her legs,” Ms Cox said. 

“(A doctor) called the Women’s and Children’s Hospital and arranged for her to be seen by a paediatrician here, otherwise we would have had to wait until August to see someone. 

“That day she had scans, and that’s when we found out… I haven’t even left Adelaide since then.” 

Rhabdoid tumours are understood to be one of the most aggressive forms of cancer among children, with survival rates of 20 per cent to 25 per cent.

Ms Cox said Billie’s treatment required herself and partner Daniel Stockmeier to remain in close distance of the hospital. 

“She’s on really intensive chemotherapy, so she’s in and out of hospital all the time,” she said. 

“We’re not allowed to bring her home to the Riverland, because between the treatments her white blood cells drop, so she’s at risk of infections. 

“We have to be within a certain number of kilometres from the Women’s and Children’s Hospital. 

“We’ve been lucky enough to move into a unit that’s owned by the Childhood Cancer Association, in Prospect, and that’s only five minutes from the hospital.” 

Ms Cox said support from fellow Riverlanders – raised through a GoFundMe page – had been crucial for the family.

“I was working full time and only had two weeks of annual leave, and my partner was a stay-at-home dad,” she said. 

“We don’t have any income, and it can take up to 12 weeks to get the carer’s payment from Centrelink.

“Without that support from people in the Riverland, I don’t know how we would pay our mortgage or bills.” 

Ms Cox said Billie’s chemotherapy would continue until the end of the year. 

“She’s going quite well,” she said. 

“They are going to do another scan in two or three weeks, just to see how the chemo is working on the tumour. 

“It’s pressing on two nerves in her spine, so they are hoping it will shrink enough that they can do surgery to cut it out. 

“The treatment so far is nine months of this intensive chemo.” 

Riverlanders interested in making a donation towards the family can visit the GoFundMe website (www.gofundme.com/f/billies-fight-for-her-life).