The Rotary Club of Pascoe Vale fully supported this project and it was adopted by the Board as a new project.
PP John Benger, The Southern Region Co-Coordinator for ROMAC, took on the application on behalf of ROMAC. He was able to gain the services of Mr. Tony Holmes, plastic surgeon, and the Mercy Private Hospital agreed to the hospitalisation free of charge.
The Club has undertaken several projects to raise funds for ROMAC.
Theary arrived in Australia on 26 January 2011 and is being hosted by Mr. and Mrs. John Morrish, who are the parents in law of Shuley.
On 3rd February, Theary was examined by Tony Holmes to plan the procedure to remove the birthmark, the next day he arranged for her to be examined by himself and six other surgeons to finalise the surgical procedure plans.
On 9 February Theary was admitted into the Mercy Private Hospital and the first of a series of operations was performed to remove the birthmark. During the 3 hours operation 40% of the birthmark was removed and a surgical balloon was inserted into her tummy to grow skin to be used for plastic surgery once the birthmark is fully removed. She has made an excellent recovery from the operation and is settling in very well. Her next operation is due in about 6-8 weeks' time.
If this operation had not been performed Theary would have eyesight problems with the side of the face where the birthmark is and could possibly develop brain cancer in her early teenage years. Even at this young age she is the subject of ridicule from other children at the school she attends.
In her short time here she has endeared herself to all the people meeting her with her lovely charm and natural beauty. This is a wonderful example of the ROMAC program and I know my club will always support it.
Peter Toomey PP, PHF (Kaye)
Rotary Club of Pascoe Vale
(H) (03) 94354 5814
(M) 0419 883 791
Email: ptoomey@optusnet.com.au
