Sebuś, our beloved son, will turn five this November. Until recently, he was a healthy, cheerful, and energetic boy, delighting in playing with cars, riding his bike, and filling our home with laughter. In an instant, however, his carefree childhood ended. Today, Sebuś is fighting a
stage IV brain tumor, and our family has been thrust into a world of oncology wards, tears, and the overwhelming fear of losing our precious child. We are asking for help to give Sebuś the chance to survive and thrive.
For four and a half years, we enjoyed every moment with our healthy child. Sebuś thrived, grew like a weed, and won hearts everywhere he went with his infectious smile. But gradually, small signs began to appear — vomiting, balance problems, headaches, and vision issues. We initially thought it was minor, perhaps a problem with his eyes or an intestinal upset. We even scheduled an ophthalmology appointment to address what we believed might be a simple vision issue.
During that appointment, everything changed. The ophthalmologist examined Sebuś’s eyes and immediately recognized that the issue was far more serious than a simple visual impairment. The doctor urgently referred us to the hospital, transforming what we thought would be a routine appointment into the start of a life-or-death struggle. Within hours, Sebuś underwent an
MRI of his head, and the results confirmed our worst fears: a tumor the size of a golf ball had taken residence in his brain. It was July 13th, a day that shattered our world and instantly altered the course of our son’s life.
In addition to the tumor, Sebuś was diagnosed with increased intracranial pressure and hydrocephalus
, further complicating his condition. A week after the diagnosis, he underwent surgery to remove the tumor, reduce head pressure, and treat the hydrocephalus. The surgeons were able to remove 90% of the tumor; however, some infiltrates remained on the cerebral cortex to avoid damaging critical brain structures. Histopathological tests confirmed the devastating reality: Sebuś had a
grade IV medulloblastoma, the most malignant form of this tumor. The news brought an overwhelming wave of fear and tears, but also a renewed determination to fight for his life.
Since the surgery, Sebuś has undergone three cycles of chemotherapy, with one more scheduled. Following this, he will require either proton therapy or radiotherapy, along with maintenance chemotherapy. Each stage of treatment is grueling, and if it becomes necessary to continue care abroad, the costs will be enormous. Every day is a battle against cancer, an unpredictable and relentless opponent that has forced us to confront realities we never imagined.
The aftermath of surgery and chemotherapy has left Sebuś with lingering physical challenges. His left leg has reduced mobility, and he struggles with balance and painful spasms. He requires
intensive rehabilitation to walk independently and regain strength, as well as ongoing speech therapy and ophthalmology care. Every session, every exercise, and every therapy is crucial to his recovery, helping him regain as much function and independence as possible.
Sebuś’s journey is far from over. The road ahead is long, and the uncertainty of cancer looms over each day. But his courage, resilience, and determination inspire us constantly. Despite the hardships, he continues to smile, laugh, and fight, reminding us why we must never give up.
We wholeheartedly ask for your support in funding Sebuś’s treatment and rehabilitation. Every contribution will help cover medical procedures, therapies, specialist consultations, and ongoing rehabilitation — all essential for his recovery and future well-being. Your support gives Sebuś a chance to regain his health, strength, and the childhood that was abruptly taken from him.
Together, we can help Sebuś continue his fight, providing him with the care and resources he needs to survive, recover, and eventually thrive. Every act of generosity brings hope, healing, and the possibility of a brighter future for this brave little boy who has already endured so much.
Ellenborough Lewis: A Brave Koala’s Final Journey.2222
In the midst of the devastating New South Wales bushfires, a moment of incredible courage and compassion stood out against the flames. Ellenborough Lewis, a young koala, became the focus of an extraordinary rescue — one that captured hearts around the world. But despite the bravery shown and the tireless care he received, the little marsupial was recently put to sleep because his injuries were too severe to treat.
The story begins with Toni Doherty, a grandmother whose instinct to protect life led her into danger. In Long Flat, about 50 kilometres west of Port Macquarie, Toni spotted Ellenborough Lewis suffering amid an out-of-control bushfire. With fire roaring around her, she ran toward the animal, fully aware of the peril. Footage shows her pouring water onto the koala before scooping him up in a blanket, even removing her shirt to shield him from the heat. “It was vulnerable, all I could think to do was to try and rescue him,” Toni said. “I just took off my shirt and covered him with it and tried to get him out of the fire.”
Even as she carried him to safety, the trauma and pain the koala endured were clear. Toni recalled feeling the heat radiating from Lewis and hearing the most heart-wrenching sounds. “He was being burnt. He was burning underneath, on his little back legs when he was approaching the tree. I’ve never heard a koala before; I didn’t realise they could cry out,” she said. The intensity of the moment highlighted both the severity of the situation and the unwavering bravery of the rescuer.
Ellenborough Lewis was rushed to the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital, where he received round-the-clock care for severe burns affecting his hands, feet, arms, and inner legs. The veterinary team worked tirelessly to stabilize him, change bandages, and provide substantial pain relief. Burns like these can worsen before healing begins, and despite careful monitoring and treatment, Lewis’s condition took a turn for the worse.
On Tuesday, the Koala Hospital made the heartbreaking decision to put Ellenborough Lewis to sleep. “Today we made the decision to put Ellenborough Lewis to sleep,” the hospital wrote on Facebook. “We placed him under general anaesthesia this morning to assess his burns injuries and change the bandages. In Ellenborough Lewis’s case, the burns did get worse, and unfortunately would not have gotten better. The Koala Hospital’s number one goal is animal welfare, so it was on those grounds that this decision was made.”
The decision, though difficult, was rooted in compassion. Every effort had been made to save Lewis, from immediate emergency care to ongoing treatments. Yet sometimes, the kindest choice is to end suffering and allow a gentle passing rather than prolong pain. The hospital’s dedication to animal welfare was evident in every measure they took, from pain management to expert care.
News of Lewis’s passing drew an outpouring of grief and support from around the world. Social media was flooded with tributes, many praising both the bravery of Toni Doherty and the hospital staff who fought tirelessly for his recovery. One commenter wrote, “Collective hearts around the world have broken. Thank you for doing everything you could to save this brave little man.” Another shared, “RIP little Lewis. Without the bravery of his rescuer and the treatment at KHPM he would have died in even more severe pain and suffering somewhere in the burning bush.”
Ellenborough Lewis’s story is also one of naming, memory, and love. He was named after Toni’s grandchild, cementing a bond that will forever connect family and animal in shared remembrance. For Toni, the rescue was instinctive, driven by love and compassion. “It was vulnerable, all I could think to do was try and rescue him,” she said. In those moments, her courage shone as brightly as the flames surrounding them.
Though Lewis’s life was tragically short, it leaves behind a legacy of bravery and human-animal connection. His rescue highlights the extraordinary lengths people will go to protect vulnerable wildlife, even risking their own safety. It reminds us of the fragility of life in the face of natural disasters and the profound impact that compassion can have.
Ellenborough Lewis may have passed, but his story will live on — a testament to courage, love, and the remarkable bond between humans and animals. The koala’s life, though brief, touched hearts globally, inspiring acts of kindness, bravery, and awareness for wildlife affected by bushfires. The memory of Lewis, and the heroism of those who tried to save him, will never be forgotten.
Farewell, little Lewis. Your fight was brave, your spirit unforgettable, and your story a reminder that even in the face of unimaginable disaster, compassion and courage shine brightest.
