$1.4M+ AUD raised
4.9“Excellent”Rick was diagnosed with Infantile Tay-Sachs at 18 months. Since then, his mum Vanessa has worked full time, cared for him and searched the world for anything that could bring him more comfort, strength and time.
Shop Butterfly
Free delivery · 30-day returns
Free delivery · 30-day returns · Secure checkout
Vanessa and Rick · Sydney, Australia
4 min readWhen Rick was 18 months old, Vanessa learned he had Infantile Tay-Sachs disease. She was told her little boy might have only two to four years to live.
Rick is now four. Vanessa is raising him as a single mum, caring for him and working full time while continuing to search for ways to improve his comfort and quality of life.
01 · A Mum Who Would Not Stop Searching
Earlier this year, Vanessa took Rick to Florence for his first cycle of REAC treatment. She says that afterwards he became stronger, more responsive and more comfortable.
After years of hospital admissions and seizures, those changes gave Vanessa something precious: hope.
For Vanessa, this has always been about giving Rick more comfort, dignity and time.
02 · Hope Took Them Across the World
Further treatment meant another journey to Italy, with treatment, medical travel, accommodation, specialised equipment and daily care costs to cover. Vanessa had already carried so much alone.
Lee shared Rick and Vanessa’s story so a community could help her carry what came next.
03 · The Community Stood With Them
Tens of thousands of people responded to Vanessa and Rick’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.
When you shop Butterfly, you don’t just help fund 20 meals per product. You give us the power to find more families like Vanessa and Rick, meet them face to face and help their stories reach a community ready to care.
1,700,000+ meals funded
Shopping Butterfly helps fund the equivalent of 20 meals per product and makes the giving trips and storytelling that help families like Vanessa and Rick possible.
Their fundraiser remains separate, so anyone who wants to offer direct support can donate through the GoFundMe linked above.
Real customer reviews across Butterfly jewelry and apparel.
Vanessa and Rick’s fundraiser and Butterfly purchases are two separate ways to act.
No. Product sales are not direct donations to Vanessa and Rick. Shopping Butterfly helps fund 20 meals per product and powers the giving trips and storytelling that help these stories reach more people. Direct support for their family is made through the GoFundMe linked on this page.
The fundraiser states that the money supports Rick’s treatment, medical travel, flights, accommodation, specialised equipment and daily care costs.
Every product purchased helps fund the equivalent of 20 meals through Butterfly's giving partners. Purchases also help make giving trips possible, so Butterfly can meet people, share their stories and help direct fundraisers reach more people.
Yes. Eligible items can be returned within 30 days. Read the return policy.
Designed to Mean More · Made to Do More
4.9 stars · 30,000+ customersFind a piece you will love wearing and help kindness travel further.
