Amazing Daisy

By Jackie Benson

On the 28th of March 2022 I took our youngest daughter Daisy (2.5) to the local hospital with a suspected ear infection and a couple of random purple spots on her arm. Her blood test results were deranged and we were immediately flown to Royal Hobart Hospital. She was then diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia. 

That first night in hospital was the longest night of my life- watching her- knowing nothing. During this first night she received a blood transfusion, antibiotics, fluids, blood tests, had a canular inserted, had an x-ray the following morning and went under anaesthic for a spinal lumber and marrow biopsy. They started Chemo immediately.

Daisy's prognosis is positive- she will be cured of this disease- however the process of treatment is a long one and the first 5 weeks of heavy chemotherapy needs to happen in Hobart, which is 5 hours drive away from where we live (Sisters Beach). After the initial phase of treatment, we are allowed to return home and travel to Launceston each week for treatment.

The evening Daisy and I were flown to RHH my husband Dean and eldest daughter Indigo (6.5) had to endure the long and emotional drive 5 hours to Hobart. They arrived the next morning and were welcomed by Ronald McDonald House Hobart. They were given a room and a tour of the house and later in the week, I too received the tour of the house and had a conversation about what the house provides for families of sick children - everything from clean rooms to stay in, food in the kitchen, washing powder in the laundry, strollers for use, games and activities for the kids, plus the kindest and friendliest staff you'll ever meet (most of which are volunteers). It was during this conversation I asked some questions and realised just much they relied on sponsorship and donations to continue to offer this service to families in need. 

Until you have been in this situation, you cannot possibly imagine how hard it is to try and deal with medical diagnosis, medical appointments, specialists, sleepless nights in hospital, being present for the other children etc etc etc. 

Ronald Mac House is for neither rich nor poor; it is a refuge that takes away any need to make decisions about accommodation, parking, laundry, food, having a safe nurturing environment for the rest of family whilst also trying to navigate sickness. The staff here have gone over and above to ensure we felt welcome and have absolutely everything we need to survive whilst staying so far away from home. 

The very least I can do is too raise as much money as possible for such a worthy organisation. So, as Daisy begins to lose her hair due to treatment, I too will be shaving my hair off. I want to raise money for RMH but also, I want Daisy to see that we are not defined by traditional vanity based beauty, rather, that beauty is unique and different and also lies within. 

Please let's join together to raise much needed funds to ensure that heaven forbid, one day you present to the dr with a child with an earache which turns in to a diagnosis of cancer, this house remains open and available for the children and families needing it most. 

Thank you to my Sponsors

$2.02k

Granville Farms P/l

Thinking of you all xxx

$1.85k

Amazing Daisy

Amazing Daisy fundraiser community effort

$1.02k

Deryl And Fiona Dowling

❤️❤️❤️

$1.02k

Ramsay Engineering Ltd

Amazing Daisy, describes you to a tee. Your are AMAZING. Thank you RM house for being there and Jackie for explaining so beautifully. Lots of love to Benson family John, Sharan and families

$515

Kath & Ant (auntie & Unc)

Lot's of love from Auntie & Unc xxx

$515

Cape View Nursery

We are all thinking of you and your family 💕

$515

Steve & Leed

What a wonderful cause!! How generous of you to organise this with everything you are still going thru. Love to you all and specially to Amazing Daisy

$515

Christine & Mikael

We are thinking of you all during these difficult times.

$515

The Kelly’s

Lots and lots of love to your tribe x

$515

Brad Wright

Was saddened to hear about Daisy’s diagnosis Jackie and Dean. Wishing for a quick recovery and Daisy is back to enjoying kid things. Thankful for Ronald McDonald House Hobart in the treatment for sick kids and helping families in these hard times.

$500

Dean Benson

$500

Elphinstone Stevens Pty Ltd

Thoughts are with you Jackie, Dean and the family at this time. xxx

$332.80

Rob & Tania

Love and best wishes to Daisy and all the Benson family XXX

$330

Leeanne Koerber

$312

Jason And Hollie Ransley

Thinking of you guys during this incredibly hard journey,

$260

Aunty Moot

Amazing Daisy has an equally amazing family. Sending lots of love 💗

$250

Helen's Bodyshop Customers

Money raised from Helens bodyshop customers! Thankyou everyone. All the best Daisy!! Xox

$211

Deb & Matt Marshall

Wishing Daisy a speedy recovery our thoughts and love goes out to you all Deb & Matt x

$208

Hayley Arnold

Sending all our love to beautiful Daisy and all of the Bensons. We love you all and are sending healing wishes. Xxx

$208

Jasmin Herewini

Love you guys, stay strong!

$208

(aunty) Brooke Herewini

I love you Daisy, we will come see you soon

$208

Dawn Symmonds

Dear Jackie , dean, indigo and the amazing daisy , we love you so much , please get better as soon as possible 💕💕💕

$208

Carl & Vic

Dean, Jack, Indigo & Daisy, all our love xxx

$208

Tojo

Thoughts are with you and your family

$208

Andy, Prue And Toby

Sending you lots of lots and get well soon wishes xx

$208

Jon And Martine Symmonds

Sending all our love ❤️

$208

Kaye And Brian Heazlewood

$168.80

Charlie And Ali Stubbs

We wish Daisy a full and speedy recovery and send you and your family our love and support.

$166.40

Angela Townsend

$166.40

Nick And Jayne Newman

❤️❤️❤️❤️

$166.40

Sarah Bourke

Thinking of you guys xoxo

$166.40

Josh Giuliani

$160

Freda Henshaw

$160

Niamh Henshaw

Sending so much you to you all, and especially Daisy xxx

$160

Dave & Amanda Stewart

Thinking of you all and wishing Daisy all the best with her treatment 💕

$156

Carly Ecker

$156

Nikki & Greg Pilkington

Sending our love to you all, especially little Daisy x

$156

Sheryl Van Der Drift

$124.80

The Hubbards

Thinking of u guys sending love and strength to u all xxxx

$113.36

Bangarang Body Art

Sending our love from the Bangarang Family ❤

$105.50

Nina And Jimi

Xxxxxxx

$105.50

Linda Jones

$105.50

Remi Olomola

My prayers are with you and the family. Stay positive !!!

$105.50

Scott & Terri-ann Mcdougall

$105.50

Linna

$104

Taylor Family

$104

Tina Fairfield

$104

Anonymous

$104

Graham Alexander

RMH - big tick

$104

Linna

You we smash this

$104

Danielle Symmonds

Love you all so much 💜💜💜

$104

Rach & Joe Carter

❤️💚

$104

Suz

Big love to you all ❤️

$104

Adrian And Vickie Reynolds

Sending all our love and prayers to you all. Big hugs and kisses Daisy Love from Adrian and Vickie Reynolds x x

$104

Ellen Steiner

❤️❤️❤️

$104

The Burkes

$104

Julie Heggarty

$104

Wendy Campbell

Please give an anonymous hug to Daisy from an old friend of your Mum’s

$104

Melanie Arnol

Sending healing positive vibes to the entire Benson family 💗

$100

Leanne Radford

$100

Alanna Dempsey

Best wishes to Daisy for successful treatment. My friend Kay is also shaving her head for your cause, hence my donation from Victoria

$100

Luke & Emily Tokarski

Sending you all the biggest hug!! You guys are amazing and doing such an amazing thing for the RMH xxx

$100

Lauren Mackie

Thinking of you and your family xxx

$100

Lisa Caron

Jackie, Dean,Indigo and Daisy, Sending all our love and prayers from our family to yours, for a full recovery for your sweet and precious little girl Daisy.. Love, Lisa , Rob, Curtis and Liam xox

$100

Jackie Benson

Quit smoking money

$100

Alba Cumming

Hope you're feeling better soon Daisy

$100

Caitlin Rose

Sending lots of love from Canada.

$100

Kim Heazlewood And Summer Scott

$62.40

Aleisha Barr

Thinking of you all & sending lots of love light & care 💛 Amazing Daisy I'm thinking of you 💛

$62.40

Mark Black

Omg jacks !! I Had no idea 😥 I’m just speechless.. i pray for a speedy recover for little daisy. You guys have gone through so much now as a family !! And still your such a fighter and inspiration jacks ! Good on you..

$62.40

Merryn And Michael Rubock

$62.40

Ben Wolf

$62.40

Lynda Morris

$62.40

Naomi Hyland

$62.40

Brooke Stephens

$62.40

Elliott Cronan

$62.40

Vicki Scott

Thinking of you and your family ❤

$62.40

Emma Carter

$62.40

Kearah Baker

$62.40

Evetts Fam ?

Healing love to dear lil Daisy ❤

$62.40

Deb Johnstone

Jackie, I can't believe how strong your family has been this last year. I'm sure you will be more beautiful without hair. Keep strong lovely 😘

$62.40

Grace Stokes

Sending all my love to Daisy - Thinking of you all during this tough time x

$62.40

Melissa Furphy

$62.40

Rachel Boyd

$62.40

Anna Hartley

I only just came across this post Jackie. Sending you love, light and healing strength to little Daisy ❤️

$62.40

Mark Loughran

Good luck and hope all goes to plan and Daisy gets better soon!

$62.40

John & Diane Cumming

Speedy recovery Daisy

$62.40

Liz Ryan

$62.40

Kaitlin And Mark Wolfe

Sending all our love 💜

$62.40

Jessica Goodwin

$62.40

Katrina And Her Little Ray Of Sunshine ?

On behalf of my grandbaby who’s mumma spent a few weeks in RMH while bubby was in the NICU. We would have been lost without this amazing facility and the even more amazing volunteers.

$62.40

Gladdy

I am thinking of you all and hope Daisy has a speedy recovery

$60

Jackie Benson

$52.75

Kelly Kosta

Good luck gorgeous girl, you got this!

$52.75

Anonymous

A friend of mine told me about Daisy and although I can’t donate much, every little bit helps! Your family is showing true strength through this adversity. Daisy is so lucky to have amazing role models in her life ❤️

$52.75

Valerie Gardam

Sending lots of loving healing thoughts to little Daisy and the Benson family 💖🙏🏻💖

$52.75

Fleur Stelling

Sending all good wishes to special Daisy and her family, and also to the amazing Kay for helping to raise funds!

$52

Vicki French

One never knows what tomorrow will bring. I don’t know you but I have grandchildren. Enough said. Stay strong for your Daisy 💝

$52

Anonymous

$52

Paula Cambray

I’m so sorry to hear this Jackie. I had help from RMH too when my twins were born prematurely, they are an absolutely beautiful charity. Lots of love to you all during this terrible time. (I worked with your Mum in the green shed at Oxenford) xx

$52

Nathan Newton

$52

Peter Wraight

$52

Sharna Murphy

Send you all the love ❤️

$52

Allan Maher

♥️

$52

Kim And Debbie Gardam

$52

Chris Russell

My very best wishes Jackie.

$52

Nicole + Cody Ashwood

All the best Miss Daisy, stay strong sweetheart

$52

Lee-anne

$50

James Jacobson And Tribe

So sorry to hear jack hoping for a speedy recovery for little Daisy

$50

Kelly Milikins

Sending so much healing love to your beautiful Daisy

$43.68

Tameeka Marshall

Sending good vibes and all our love to the most strong and amazing family I know “The Bensons” we love you guys love Meek, Tan and the Clan xxx

$41.60

Shantelle Browne

$41.60

Michelle Miller

Heaps of love sent your way from Michelle Miller (Reds Team Acaia Ridge)

$40

Duncan, Kristie & Amity Sayer

Thinking of you all 💜

$31.65

Mishca

$31.20

Pete & Sharon Murray

❤❤❤

$31.20

Richelle M

$31.20

Mel Koerber

Sending love and hugs to the whole family

$31.20

Olivia Mcfarlane

Sending my love xx

$31.20

Adele And Glenn Derriman

Keep fighting Daisy. Good luck on your healing journey.

$25.80

Kerry Forrest

Sending hugs and best wishes. x

$21.10

Lara Hardy

Sending love 💗

$21.10

Meisha Hawkibs

Love you

$21.10

Darralyn Housego

Thinking of you all x

$21.10

Darren Jones

$21.10

Anonymous

$21.10

Melanie Berryman

Xx

$20.80

Vicki Bennet

Thinking of you all xxx

$20.80

Jasmine & Fletcher

Sending all our love & strength too you all ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

$20.80

Rose Maher

Sending love to Daisy for a speedy recovery and hugs to all the family, because there are times when hugs help so much ❤️

$20.80

Philip Mckenzie

Wishing you all the best Jackie. Sending lots of good wishes to Daisy.

$20.80

Marie Gilliland

Sending hugs to little Daisy x

$20.80

Carla Stewart

Sending love and prayers from my family to yours xx

$20.80

Allana Whish-wilson

$20.80

Katie

$20.80

Trish Machen

💗💗

$20.80

Beebo

Much love, light and Zen to you all at this difficult time, go team Benson 💖

$20.80

Jess Tolputt

$20.80

Anonymous

$20.80

Anonymous

$20.80

Belinda Good (hutchison)

Whilst I don’t know you all personally, any member of my beloved Sisters Beach community is considered a friend. All the best Daisy for your recovery 💛

$20.80

Lena

$20.80

Dawn Symmonds

Will just keep topping up , love you guys

$20.80

Kay Hamilton

Thinking of healing love, x

$20.80

Ally Koerber

Sending love & best wishes to you all

$20.80

Julie Shepperd

$20.80

Brooke & John

$20.80

Berna Shelverton

$20.80

Rachel Goodluck

Sending all my love and thoughts to your family and especially little Daisy xx

$20.80

Lisa Mackey

$20.80

Amanda Broderick

My love, my thoughts can’t even be enough but I send them to you all. Prayers and deepest blessings to your beautiful girl and you all 💎💜💎