Cars and Coffee event for Indyanna

CURLEWIS youngster Indyanna Harper and her family hope a fundraising event in Drysdale this weekend raises much-needed funds and awareness about bone marrow failure.

Ten-year-old Indyanna was diagnosed with aplastic anaemia early last year – a rare disease that occurs when bone marrow stops producing enough new blood cells.

Since then, Indyanna has undergone chemotherapy treatment, a bone marrow transplant from her older sister Madison, and a biopsy only last week to see how her body was reacting to the procedure.

To help raise funds and awareness about aplastic anaemia, Old Skool Street Cars Geelong will host a Cars and Coffee event this Sunday at Autopro Drysdale.

All proceeds from the event will go to Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision, which was established to help adolescents and young adults suffering from Bone Marrow Failure Syndromes through research and providing support into treatments, prevention and with an aim to find a cure.

In February 2015, 26-year-old Maddie Riewoldt lost her five-year battle with aplastic anaemia, and to honour their daughter and sister’s fight, the Riewoldt family established ‘Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision’.

James Cooper said Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision had been amazing with support for his step-daughter Indyanna and keeping her strong.

“She is still having weekly trips to the Royal Children’s Hospital, but she’s back at school this year in Grade Four at Clifton Springs Primary School with lots of energy.”

Cars and Coffee will have about 80 Australian and American muscle cars on display, plus a barbecue breakfast, coffee vans, and a raffle.

“We want to get the awareness out there and we are hoping to raise as much as we can,” he said.

Entry is by gold coin donation, and will be at Autopro Drysdale, 2/31 Murradoc Road, on Sunday, February 25 from 9am-noon.