A bunch of central Victorian businesses have gotten behind five-year-old Charlie Doherty and his family as the prep student navigates his diagnosis with Hodgkin's Lymphoma.
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Charlie is the first person in Victoria to be diagnosed with the cancer in 2021 and the Cancer Council predicts 803 cases will diagnosed in Australia this year.
His parents Chloe and Curtis and his older brother Cooper are currently at the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne undergoing treatment for the cancer which affects the body's lymphatic system and the various lymph glands.
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On the GoFundMe page setup to raise $60,0000 to support the family through Charlie's diagnosis, Mrs Doherty thanked the 326 donors who have already raised more than $45,000.
"To say our world has been turned upside down in the last two days is an understatement," Mrs Doherty wrote.
"Our beautiful five-year-old son and grandson Charlie has been diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma, a solid type of cancer that affects the lymph nodes.
"It's quite rare, we don't know much yet other than he will need treatment which will most likely be in the form of chemo and radiotherapy.
"The doctors have told us that their treatment programs for this cancer has a good success rate. We will know more in the coming days, we are exhausted but so proud of our boy who is being so incredibly brave. I would trade places with him in a heartbeat.
"We will be in Melbourne for the next little while to be by our baby boy's side. We appreciate all of your love and support so much more than we can explain."
Vibe Street Eats is one of the central Victorian businesses helping the Doherty family's cause by donating $2 from every freak shake sold until close of business on Saturday.
Owner Tara Hilson is Mrs Doherty's second cousin and jumped at the opportunity to help out.
"I'm just devastated for them," Mrs Hilson said. "My son goes to the same school but in different years and I just thought our Freak Shakes were a way to relate to kids and families.
"I'm definitely not the only business involved and I plan to do a lot more fundraising throughout Charlie's journey."
Freak shakes are one of Vibe Street Eats biggest sellers and on Thursday alone, the eatery sold 47.
"I'm hoping it will just get bigger from here," Mrs Hilson said.
To donate to Charlie Doherty's GoFundMe page head to gofundme.com/f/please-help-chloe-Curt-little-charlie-family
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