THE Bathurst community is rallying to help one of their own. Mandy Griffiths is facing a huge health battle, but the message is clear... she's not alone.
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Her friend, Megan Russell, started a gofundme page on Wednesday night, which has already raised in excess of $6,500.
Ms Russell said the money will be used to take the financial pressure off the couple while Mandy is unwell and enable them to focus on her recovery.
"Peter (Mandy's husband) and Mandy are currently down to one income, but Peter will soon also be required to take some leave without pay to be home with Mandy during initial recovery," she said.
"They don't live a lavish lifestyle, but still have the regular bills coming in."
Ms Russell said Mandy has had a pretty rough 12 months, and just wanted to do something practical to support the couple.
In June last year, Mandy's husband Peter took her to hospital in severe pain with a bowel obstruction. She was operated on the following day to remove a cancerous tumour bigger than a golf ball.
After two months off work, she returned to work full time while undergoing oral chemotherapy, which she finished in January this year.
However, post-treatment tests showed high tumour markers which on further medical examination revealed more tumours.
On March 17, Mandy was in severe pain again. Peter took her back to hospital, where it was found the new tumours had caused another bowel obstruction.
Mandy is currently in Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney (where she has been for three weeks) and is expected to remain there for another four.
MAKING NEWS:
Mandy's cancer is now classed Stage 4, but treatable, with more surgery planned for next week.
On Thursday, Mandy's husband Peter thanked everyone who had been in contact with offers of help, and had supported them in any way.
He said Mandy's pain was controlled, she was feeling positive and had a smile on her face.
He said the love and support shown to Mandy has been overwhelming, and said he wonders how he will ever repay people's kindness.
"We've had people contact us seeing how they can help, from offers of cleaning our house, a place to stay in Sydney and so many other levels of support.
"It has been overwhelming in a hugely positive way."
Mandy has also been sent a personal message of support from footballer Jarrod Croker, and a signed jersey from the Canberra Raiders, her favourite footy club.
Peter said when Mandy received them her eyes literally filled with tears.
"She was so excited, she couldn't tell me, she had to send the message to me," he said.
Peter said he and Mandy just wanted to thank everyone who has been so good to them.
"Megan Russell, Clare Carey and Gemma Hewitt, and everyone from the Bathurst community that has sent messages of love and support, thank you.
"I've had so many offers with practical tasks. Even though my needs are very low right now, there have been so many people who have offered to help," he said.
Anyone wanting to support the couple can do so at gofundme under "Support for Mandy's biggest battle."
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