Warrnambool's Dowie family is hoping their upcoming trip to American will kick as many goals for them as a recent Warrnambool and District league fundraiser did.
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Hoping to provide Noah Dowie and his parents Jet and Kristy with some answers in their Diamond Blackfan Anameia (DBA) journey, the family is heading overseas for Camp Sunshine and the WDFNL has eased the financial burden of international travel.
Every goal kicked in the WDFNL's round nine games contributed $10 to getting the four-year-old to the American camp specialising in DBA. A total of $3708.10 was donated to the family.
"It's amazing, we're very grateful," Mrs Dowie said.
"Time and time again the community has pulled together to help us."
Mr Dowie said: "It's a privilege to be in a position with people willing to help us."
Camp Sunshine is a week-long conference where the two world DBA specialists will be attending to help patients and families suffering from the illness. The meeting is a chance to hear about the latest research, what doctors are working on and meet other families going through a similar journey.
"We'll be able to meet and have a personal consultation with the two specialists and they will take data and make their own assessments of Noah," Mr Dowie said.
"They'll then be able to work out a plan A,B and C for us and give an update on the new drug trials for DBA."
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On his first birthday young Noah was diagnosed with DBA - an extremely rare blood condition affection approximately 20 Australians and 1000 patients worldwide which does not yet have a cure. Noah's little body does not produce enough red blood cells to transport oxygen around and the illness is caused by a bone marrow failure.
Goals for Goals was the brainchild of WDFNL vice president Billy Edis, who knew Mr Dowie as a former Merrivale and Port Fairy player.
WDFNL chairman Michael Harrison said the idea had been discussed by the executive.
"The idea was embraced with open arms by the WDFNL community," he said.
"We are rapt to have taken on this event and now pass on the funds."
The Port Fairy and North Warrnambool Eagles football netball clubs also raised over $2000 for the family after collecting money during their round seven Hampden league match.
The trip is estimated to cost $10,000 so the donated funds will go a long way in easing the cost for the Dowie family.
While they are overseas, the family is planning to take Noah to Disneyland.
"In reality, we don't know where time sits with Noah," Mr Dowie said.
"So this is a great opportunity to get him some lifetime experiences."
The Dowies depart for Los Angeles on Sunday.
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