FRIENDS of a young woman who emigrated to Australia are rallying round to bring her back to York after she fell terminally ill with a brain tumour.

Supporters are trying to raise £5,000 so Emily Rhodes can pay a return visit with her family to see friends and relatives for one final time.

Money may also be needed towards some of the costs of medical treatment in Australia for Emily, 22, and towards the bill for a wedding day, which she and her fiancé Jamie Smith are planning for February 26 in Perth, just before she undergoes a possible further major operation.

Emily, who formerly lived in the Monkton Road area and attended Huntington School, moved to Australia with her parents Jo and Martin and younger brother Matthew about four years ago.

‘Emily’s Army’ is planning a family fun day on Sunday, April 23, and is looking for help in finding a venue with indoor and outdoor space, and with raffle prizes, bouncy castle and a face painter.

The fundraisers are also planning smaller events such as a car boot sale.

Her friend, Louise Carr, who danced with Emily at Club 68 dance club in Monkton Road, said Emily had moved into her own house in Perth last January and had a good job when she suddenly suffered a seizure last July.

“After delays, she was diagnosed with Astroglyoma GMB Stage 3 Wild gene, and had radiotherapy and chemotherapy every day for six weeks,” she said.

“When the doctors operated, they couldn’t remove the whole tumour, otherwise Emily would have been left with very poor quality of life. She wouldn’t be able to walk, talk, eat, communicate and would likely be severely brain-damaged.

“The chemo was very intense but the tumour continued to grow to three times its size.The family were told it was incurable on Friday January 13.”

Emily’s mother Joanne said her daughter had been given 12 to 18 months to live, and would need to decide tomorrow whether to undergo another massive operation, which could prolong her life but also posed a risk of putting her into a vegetative state.

York Press:

She said there was another drug which could be tried post-surgery, but it would cost £12,000 for a six-week course. If it proved effective, it would then be funded under a medicare insurance scheme.

The family was also seeking a second opinion from one of the world’s best brain surgeons in Sydney, and if he believed other effective treatment was possible, it might be necessary to raise another £60,000 to pay for it privately.

“I’d re-mortgage or sell the house if I thought it might save her life,” said Joanne.

She said Emily had had a call from her surgeon, asking if she would like to undergo surgery on February 3, but she had declined because she wants to get married the her fiancé Jamie before she has the op.

Emily has posted on Facebook: “Sometime very soon I will be coming home, but first I need another operation to give me more time.

“I would love to make beautiful memories with all my friends and family including all of you! Doesn’t matter if we haven’t kept in touch or spoken for a while, let’s get together and have a good drink, the more the merrier! And lots of laughter. We haven’t arranged anything yet but will keep you all posted.”

The appeal has so far raised £2,500 towards its £5,000 target. To donate, visit the gofundme page here.