By Emilie Ng
MICHAEL Donelly’s furry best friend and personal lifesaver could have another chance at life thanks to help from the neigbouring Catholic secondary high school.
Champ, a six-year-old border collie diagnosed with lymphoma cancer, has affectionately chased after students from Lourdes Hill College, Hawthorne, located across the road from Mr Donelly’s house, each morning and afternoon for six years.
“The (Lourdes Hill College) girls have always played with him over the six years,” Mr Donelly said.
“There’s always been a daily morning and afternoon session with Champ and the girls who catch the train to school.”
So when a group of girls from the college learnt Champ had been diagnosed with cancer, they opened their wallets and hearts to try and save him.
The college dedicated May 11-15 to raising money for Champ as part of their annual animal welfare group campaign, PAW Week.
PAW’s 300 members are hoping to help Champ and Mr Donelly pay for $10,000 worth of chemotherapy.
Lourdes Hill has raised more than $1100 towards that target.
Mr Donelly said the charismatic dog had saved his life when he received him as a gift six years ago.
“Six of my really good friends gave me Champ when I was going through a bit of depression,” he said.
“I was in a really bad spot, probably wasn’t living the best lifestyle, wasn’t looking after myself very well and I had gone through a few rough patches.
“He became my best mate.
“He saved my life.”
When Champ was diagnosed with lymphoma cancer on March 17, Mr Donelly was unsure about paying for treatments.
“I always looked at other pet owners and thought it was madness spending that sort of money,” he said.
“I came back from the vet and I had a really bad night’s sleep, and woke up crying.
“I woke up the next morning and thought, ‘No, he saved my life so it’s time to pay it back’.”
PAW co-ordinator and teacher Natasha Scanlan said raising money for Champ was the school’s way of helping their neighbour in need.
PAW member and Year 10 student Georgia Karamihas said the college wanted to help Champ “immediately”.
“Everyone at school loves him,” she said.
“When everyone heard the news they were really sad for him and wanted to help immediately.”
Bulimba Vet Surgery and Masterpet donated hampers as raffle prizes for the college’s fundraising week.
Champ was in clinical remission at press time, and had completed 10 out of 19 weeks of chemotherapy treatment.
Donate to help save Champ’s life at www.youcaring.com/pet-expenses/save-champ/325106.
