Uhi’s eight-year-old daughter Violet has relapsed a second time in her battle with leukaemia. Each time this has affected her central nervous, not her bone marrow, restricting her treatment options in Australia.

Specialists were to meet on Wednesday to determine whether Violet fit all the criteria to send her to Seattle, for CAR T therapy – the only place in the world she can access this form of immunotherapy. It could mean up-rooting the whole family for seven to eight months.

Hepburn Football Netball Club and the extended Central Highlands football community were quick to rally for one of their own. Uhi, who is based in Melbourne, had been set to return for the Burras’ 2008 Central Highlands premiership reunion last weekend but was a late withdrawal with the news of Violet’s relapse.

The Burras jumped into fundraising mode for a man they describe as a gentle giant who, with his family, unassumingly supported the club by doing all the little things. He has remained in close contact with the club since stepping back after the 2013 flag win.

The Burras’ next big play is from Grill’d Ballarat. The popular burger outlet is donating $10 from every burger sold on Sunday to the cause for customers who use the code word “Violet”.

“I’m still shocked. This (support) all came about in a five-minute conversation when they called back to confirm whether I was going to the reunion,” Uhi said. “This is unbelievably generous. Across the board people have been amazing...We really appreciate and are humbled by the response.”

The family, including Patrick who just turned three, remain waiting to learn their next move.

Uhi said they were not privy to the discussions unfolding between Violet’s specialists at the Royal Children’s Hospital and a global oncology network. He said so many factors come into consideration. Violet was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2015 and has undergone chemotherapy, radiation – “the whole lot”, Uhi says. Only 10 children in the world, including one Australia, have been through the Seattle trial.

There is a chance there could be a clinical trial in Melbourne at the end of the year but Uhi said the family was weighing up the options that were best for Violet now.

“(Seattle) is not the cheapest treatment plan, but no worries, if it still goes ahead we’ll do what it takes. This is not just for Violet, but the potential for saving other lives from the trial,” Uhi said.

To help, visit HepburnBurrasFNC Facebook page or buy a burger from Grill’d on Sunday and mention Violet.

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