A family has spoken out about their anguish after being hit by two unthinkable tragedies.
On June 12, the family of eight-year-old Tommy Adams-Bennett had gathered at a chapel in Sydney, Australia, to say goodbye to the young boy.
Tommy had been diagnosed with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) — a rare and aggressive type of childhood cancer — back September 2023 and tragically passed away on July 2.
However, during the funeral, further agony hit the family as Tommy's grandfather - Stan - walked out of the chapel and collapsed, as reported by News.com.au,
A number of doctors and nurses who were attending the service battled to save the grandfather's life, administering CPR before he was rushed to Blacktown Hospital nearby.
Sadly, the "beloved Poppy" was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Now, Stan's daughter and Tommy's mom - Amanda Adams-Bennett - has launched a GoFundMe in order to raise funds that will help her mom, Lin.
"I'm doing what I can to raise money for my amazing mum so she can afford to pay for dads funeral, and other expenses / bills and to keep her family home after losing my wonderful dad," Amanda writes in the page's description.
"My dad died in Blacktown hospital just after 7:30pm on Friday 12 July. We had to say goodbye to our son and now my dad," she writes. "My mum lost her loyal husband of 47 years! The most patient, kind, respectful, and honest man I know. I was so proud to call him dad, and our boys their poppy.
"Our family is going through the most unimaginable pain. Two beautiful people we love with all our hearts, gone from this earth far too soon."
As of this writing, more than $25,000 AUD has been raised for the family, who Amanda says is "working through the rollercoaster of grief, anger, sadness and other emotions that come with such a tragic loss."
The page adds that Stan's service is today (July 21).
In an interview with 7News, Amanda gushed over how her father "lived for his grandkids".
“He had such an amazing bond with Thomas, she said. "When he collapsed, I thought at the time he must’ve just been so overcome with grief."
She went on to describe her father as "a beautiful man".
"Dad was a genuine role model for so many, a true gentleman, a man of honesty, integrity, and respect," Amanda added.
Additionally, the grieving mom was to continue raising awareness of DIPG in honor of her son.
"We will forever play our part in raising awareness of DIPG and do what we can to push for the funding this horrible disease needs to help find a cure and save other children and their families from this suffering, devastation, and heartbreak," the mom said.
Incredibly, she revealed that Tommy’s last selfless act was to donate tissue from his DIPG tumour for scientific research into the illness.
"Playing his part to hopefully help sick kids in the future," the mom said. "A legacy that will last forever."
What an incredible young man.
You can learn more about DIPG here.
Our thoughts are with Tommy and Stan's loved ones at this time.
