“Little miracle” at centre of fundraiser for vital surgery

FAMILY, friends and Ballarat businesses are rallying behind a three-year-old who requires critical surgery to improve her way of life.

A drag queen bingo night will be hosted from 7pm at Ballarat’s Piano Bar on Thursday 29 January for Geelong girl Phoebe, who has a rare blood vessel condition.

Phoebe has Abernethy malformation, a condition that her mother Emily Burke says can prevent the liver from filtering toxins and may lead to severe, potentially life-threatening complications.

A happy and sociable child with a love of playgrounds and music, Phoebe has already faced significant health challenges. She has experienced a stroke and was born with Tetralogy of Fallot, a rare congenital condition affecting bloodflow through the heart.

Ms Burke said the malformation was discovered last year during investigations into elevated toxin levels.

“She’s definitely a little miracle, and she still has a very big challenge ahead of her,” she said.

The drag queen bingo is part of a series of fundraisers Ms Burke is hosting across western Victoria to help cover the cost of surgery.

So far $82,000 of the required $250,000 has been raised for the operation, which would be performed by a Chicago-based surgeon who specialises in the condition.

“This is not something that’s straightforward,” Ms Burke said. “It’s a complicated condition with a very tricky surgery with tricky outcomes.”

Ms Burke’s brother Shane and her friends Tioni, Kate and Megan, who live in the greater Ballarat area, have helped source support from local businesses, including accommodation donated by Oscar’s Hotel as an auction prize.

The Piano Bar has offered to help raise money through the drag queen bingo event.

Ms Burke said she was grateful for the venue’s support.

“It’s something different that we haven’t done before and it’ll be really fun,” she said.

Prizes will be auctioned off throughout the night.

Tickets are $15. Bookings can be made via linktr.ee/hope_for_phoebe