The Dyldam Parramatta Eels are proud to be a charity partner of Ronald McDonald House in Westmead, and one of the unexpected benefits is meeting incredible kids who we’re proud to call our mates.
Tim Jelacic is one of those kids - he’s eight years old and has been in and out of hospital for most of his life.
‘Little Tim’ happens to be born on the same day as the Eels Co-Captains ’Big Tim’ Mannah and Jarryd Hayne, and over the years they’ve become very close.
Tim’s family is raising money for ‘Tough Timmy’s Bucket List’, which are his hopes and dreams for the future, including a wish to one day visit Disneyland.
Read more from Timmy’s mother Nicole below:
My son Tim is in Year 2 at John Palmer Public School in The Ponds, and is a happy, active young boy.
He loves playing footy, soccer and cricket with his mates; he likes swimming with his two older sisters Leah and Emma; he likes playing his Xbox. And he loves the Parramatta Eels!
Tim was first diagnosed with a brain tumour in December 2008, when he was just 2 years and 10 months old. The type of tumour was an epenymoma, classified grade 2, which means a low-mid range cancerous tumour.
Since then, he has now had a total of three tumours, with others found in October 2012 and November last year.
The most recent tumour was classified a grade three, which means it’s more aggressive and faster-growing.
In the last five years, Tim has been through 51 general anaesthetics, be it for surgery, MRI's and radiation treatment.
He has undergone 60 radiation treatments - 30 in 2008/2009 and another 30 in 2012/2013. It now means he’s been through his lifetime supply of radiation - and so for his last tumour in November 2013 he only had surgery.
Tim's prognosis is very poor. There is no longer a chance of a cure and he is in the palliative care stage.
It is unknown how much longer he will have but he will continue getting brain tumours until he eventually loses his battle
Despite all of this, Tim always has a positive attitude. He never complains about the tests, treatments and surgeries that he has to go through, even though they’re very tough on his body.
He always has a smile on his face despite the challenges he is faced with. And he absolutely adores Tim Mannah especially when Tim was able to attend his pre-surgery pool party to wish him good luck!
To donate to ‘Tough Timmy’s Bucket List’, see the details below:
Account Name: Timothy Jelacic
BSB: 062347
Account Number: 10468806
