Front, Grandma June Jones, Darin Jones and Kerry Jones. Back, (Mr Jones’ children) Carlia Hardy, Rebecca Jones, Corey Rule and Chantelle Johns. (Not photographed, Jessica Corrigan and Brodhy Jones.)
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Contributed
Cancer is a nightmare no-one wants to face, and to many, it’s unimaginable.
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For the Jones family, however, this heart-wrenching reality has become their daily struggle.
When Tatura’s Darin Jones, 55, was diagnosed with stage four cancer of the brain and lungs on January 2025, he was told he wouldn’t have long to live.
“The decline has been pretty rapid; I mean, we’ve known for six months now that he’s been terminally diagnosed in January,” Chantelle Johns, a daughter of Mr Jones, said.
“We’ve known that amount of time, but he’s treaded along pretty well, considering, up until last week.
“It’s been pretty rapid the last week, and we’re all just kind of trying to cope with that, I guess.”
To make Mr Jones’ remaining time as comfortable as possible, Mrs Johns started a GoFundMe to raise enough money for his essential needs.
Top Pub Tatura co-owner Jenny Lagozzino reached out in the hope of helping Mrs Johns reach her goal.
Top Pub Tatura co-owner Jenny Lagozzino with Darin Jones’ donation flyer.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
With her record of supporting local families, Ms Lagozzino was determined to help the family reach their goal of securing a wheelchair for Mr Jones’ daily use.
But when a long-time friend of Mrs Johns provided one for the family, their focus shifted to getting a second-hand hospital bed to save $250 a week on renting one.
It didn’t take long for community spirit to deliver again, and they managed to obtain it at a cheaper price through someone who had walked in Mrs Johns’ shoes.
Even though Mr Jones had been moved to Shepparton for further treatment, he had the whole community of Tatura behind him.
“When you have a family member that is terminally ill with cancer, that alone, that community is so tight knit,” Mrs Johns said.
"I’ve been pretty lucky along the way to be able to have people do that for my family and to be able to help my dad as best as we can.“
The family’s ultimate wish now is to use the money from the fundraiser to ensure Mr Jones rests in peace.
But not before one last trip to Ballarat’s Sovereign Hill to have some fun, spend quality time together and make long-lasting memories.
“I just want to thank the community of Tatura for getting around the fundraiser that Top Pub has got up, and for supporting my family and my father,” Mrs Johns said.
“But also to Jenny alone and her family, like, what they’re doing is absolutely amazing.
“And to have somebody be able to do that during what would probably be one of the worst moments in a person’s life ... no words can express the gratitude that we do have for them.”
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