Instead of starting Prep with the other kids her age, Kadyn Carbis-Treacy is in the fight of her life.
Suffering from a congenital heart defect, the Echuca resident had her eighth open heart surgery at Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital on February 3.
However, the surgery did not go well.
Unforeseen problems and complications meant the surgery lasted a harrowing 15 hours, with Kadyn being placed on a heart-lung machine and ventilator.
Kadyn’s grandmother Tina Treacy is part of the team at Big W Echuca.
“Tina is one of us, so this cause is very close to our hearts,” Big W store manager Stacee Thompson said.
To ease the financial burden on the family, Big W Echuca is holding a fundraising day in the store’s car park on Saturday, March 11.
“Big W Echuca is doing this so the family can be present with Kadyn and not have to worry about what is going on back in Echuca,” Ms Thompson said.
“We are calling out to our community to come down and buy a sausage.
“Any donation, no matter how big or small, will help make things easier for the family.
“Everything changes day to day for the family and they don’t know how long they will need to stay at the hospital.”
Kadyn’s mother Teagan Mitchell has not left the little girl's bedside since the operation.
She appreciates everyone's love, prayers and support for Kadyn.
At the fundraising day, the Echuca Men’s Shed will be running a sausage sizzle with Big W Echuca staff volunteering their time.
“Drinks and things needed for the day have been donated by Big W, with support for the food from other businesses in the community,” Ms Thompson said.
The businesses that are helping run the day include Mackrell's Elite Meats, Moama Bakery, Woolworths and FoodShare Shepparton.
Fundraiser for Kadyn will be held at Big W Echuca, corner of Maude and Annesley streets, Echuca, on Saturday, March 11, from 9am to 2pm.