The Butterfly Effect Shop Butterfly
$1.4M+ AUD raised
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Doctors Gave Rick Two to Four Years. His Mum Refused to Stop Fighting.

Lee shared the story of four-year-old Rick and his mum, Vanessa, so their fight for treatment, comfort and more time together could reach a community ready to help.

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Rick’s Story · Sydney, Australia

4 min read

Every Day With Rick Is a Gift.

Rick was diagnosed with Infantile Tay-Sachs disease at 18 months old. Vanessa was told he may have only two to four years to live.

Rick is now four. Vanessa has continued searching for ways to improve his comfort and quality of life, while caring for him and working full time as a single mum.

Illustrated map of Australia with a marker near Sydney
Rick and Vanessa’s story takes place in Sydney, Australia.

01 · Vanessa Never Stopped Fighting

She Kept Looking for a Way Forward.

Earlier this year, Vanessa took Rick to Florence for his first cycle of REAC treatment. Since then, she says he has become stronger, more responsive and more comfortable.

After years of hospital admissions and seizures, the changes have given their family something precious: hope.

Lee meeting Rick in Sydney, Australia

For Vanessa, this has always been about giving Rick more comfort, dignity and time.

02 · The Next Treatment Could Not Wait

Rick Needed His Next Treatment in Italy. Vanessa Needed Help to Get Him There.

Rick needed further treatment cycles in Italy. The cost included treatment, medical travel, accommodation, specialised equipment and the daily care needed throughout the journey.

Lee shared their story so Vanessa would not have to carry that weight alone.

Rick and family

03 · The Community Responded

$1.4M+ AUD Raised by a Community That Chose to Act

Tens of thousands of people responded to Rick and Vanessa’s story. The direct fundraiser is organised by Lee for Vanessa, who is the named beneficiary.

The fundraiser states that the money supports Rick’s treatment, medical travel, accommodation, specialised equipment and daily care costs.

Direct donations support Rick and Vanessa through their GoFundMe.

What Shopping Butterfly Makes Possible

When you shop Butterfly, you don’t just help fund 20 meals per product. You give us the power to find more people like Rick, meet them face to face and help their stories reach a community ready to care.

1,700,000+ meals funded

Wear Something You Love. Help Us Reach More People Who Need It.

Shopping Butterfly helps fund the equivalent of 20 meals per product and makes the giving trips and storytelling that help people like Rick possible.

Rick’s fundraiser remains separate, so anyone who wants to offer direct support can donate through the GoFundMe linked above.

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