Australian fashion designer Gary Bigeni has been diagnosed with stage 4 Non Hodgkins Lymphoma, according to a current crowd-funding fundraiser that has been started by his friends Michael Challita and Loren Abood.
Gary was apparently diagnosed in September of last year, however chose to keep his illness private until this time.
“Recently Gary completed his first round of treatment where he had to remain in hospital for sometimes weeks at a time for the administration of chemotherapy,” the statement explains.
Late last month Gary underwent some tests and unfortunately the news wasn’t what we were hoping for. The cancer hasn’t reduced, heartbreakingly it has increased and spread. Gary’s doctor’s have stressed he begin a second, more aggressive round of chemotherapy and undergo a bone marrow transplant.
According to Michael and Loren, the funds raised will go toward his rent, necessities and medical expenses needed while Gary undergoes further treatment – during which he will not be able to work.
Gary is self employed and carries out the majority of the roles required to continue his beautiful collection each season and generate an income to support his livelihood. At this point it is very important that he be able to focus solely on his health. He will need to stop working indefinitely dependant upon his treatment and outcome.
Gary started his label in 2003, and has shown his collections at Australian Fashion Week every year since 2008.
The crowd-fund is set at $40,000, and already $37,193 has been raised at the time of writing.
A link to the crowd-funding site can be found here.
