Michelle Buchholtz fights cancer for newborn baby Ava and fiancee Alex
The Australian public fell in love with the story of Michelle, who while suffering from terminal cancer gave birth to baby Ava at 29 weeks. Her partner Alex has been fundraising on mycause in the hope of prolonging the time the family have together. To see the campaign go to mycause & make sure you check out all the coverage below!!!!
news.com.au Story: Cancer mum Michelle Buchholtz fights for her life
BRAVE first-time mum Michelle Buchholtz has one wish — to live long enough to take baby Ava home after she was born nearly three months premature.
The terminally ill Victorian mother was forced to deliver at 29 weeks to prolong her own life as doctors feared her cancer-ridden body would not withstand a full-term pregnancy.
Her fiance, Alex Ansalone, 37, has been desperately fundraising for various treatments and Ava’s future through a crowd-funding website, in the hope of buying the family more time.
Baby Ava was briefly held to her mother’s cheek last Friday after being stabilised following the birth in a bittersweet moment for the new mum.
“I felt mixed emotions,’’ said Ms Buchholtz, 38.
“It was difficult to be totally happy initially, I was looking at her thinking ‘Oh my God I’m not going to be here’.
“But when they put her on my chest a couple of days later everything sank away.
“It was beautiful. She was crying a little bit, but once she was on me she soothed.’’
Staff and family at the Royal Women’s Hospital in Melbourne wept as Ava was delivered by caesarean, weighing just 1053 grams and measuring 37cm long.
With her fiance and sister by her side, she whispered: “Hello Ava, it’s mummy, I love you.”
Ava’s early arrival was the realisation of a two-year dream for the couple who lost two other babies, one during her first fight with an aggressive form of stage-four breast cancer.
Tragically, they discovered halfway into her third pregnancy that the cancer had returned and spread to her bones.
The birth and first tender moments with mum were captured on video, a lasting memento for when Ava grows up.
Lying in a neck brace with fractures caused by the tumours, Ms Buchholtz needs a mirror to see her daughter’s doll-like face when she is put on her chest.
She has penned letters for her daughter to read, and wants to pass on Italian recipes from her partner’s mother, German storybooks from her childhood and her cherished engagement ring.
Mr Ansalone said his fiancee had shown inspirational strength after first being diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in 2012 and enduring a double mastectomy.
The couple terminated their first pregnancy two years ago due to cancer treatment and a second after a blood test detected a serious abnormality with a slim chance of surviving to term.
They decided to try for a third child when confident she was cancer-free but at 17 weeks pregnant, an MRI confirmed that the cancer had returned.
It was rapidly invading her spine, and within months tumours had spread to her neck, lower back, pelvis, hip and thigh.
Mr Ansalone said the baby had been a huge source of hope for both of them.
“It was the greatest day of our lives,’’ he said.
“We’ve been told her prognosis is not good and there’s no cure.
“So having the baby has been the best thing at this stage. It has helped us push through.’’
Ms Buchholtz said she knew there was no point getting angry about it because “you miss the here and now’’.
“You have to keep hope. I think that’s a major part of survival. My aim is to be healthy enough to care for her when she comes home,” she said.
Obstetrician Dr Nicola Yuen cried as she performed the caesarean and said all staff involved were deeply moved.
“Michelle was the only one who didn’t cry, she’s so strong. She was so full of joy,’’ said Dr Yuen.
“Her single-minded determination to have a baby was incredible.’’
She said it was a difficult decision for the couple to continue with the pregnancy as there was a chance the baby would have to be delivered even earlier as Ms Buchholtz’s health deteriorated.
The birth itself carried big risks with the potential for spinal damage due to her spinal tumours and neck fracture.
But the disease was spreading so fast the pregnancy was putting too much strain on her body, and both chemotherapy and radiotherapy were easier without a “baby on board’’.
Ava is improving daily in the neonatal intensive care unit with hopes she will be home in three months.
Daily Telegraph Story: Couple to tie the knot after having baby amid cancer battle
THEY battled incredible odds to have a baby — now this loving couple are set to realise another dream.
Terminally ill mum Michelle Buchholtz hopes to marry sweetheart Alex Ansalone within weeks in an intimate beachside wedding before family and friends.
The couple have received more than $180,000 in donations and an outpouring of public support this week, after Ms Buchholtz was forced to give birth three months premature in her fight for life.
All eyes will be on the beautiful bride-to-be when she walks down the aisle before the next round of chemotherapy takes a further toll on her health.
PREVIOUSLY: Donations pour in for cancer couple and tiny baby
In one of many bittersweet moments for the pair, Mr Ansalone took his partner to a jewellery shop immediately after an oncologist told them her cancer had returned in August.
“I put a big rock on her finger,” said Mr Ansalone, 37. “It wasn’t a proper proposal, as I had been planning to do it later, but we didn’t know how long she had.”
They planned to marry soon after but postponed on learning baby Ava had to be delivered early to help extend her sick mum’s life.
Ms Buchholtz, 38, of McKinnon, was looking forward to getting married for her daughter. “It will be great; we love each other a lot. We would like it for Ava, to make that commitment.
Ms Buchholtz is unable to walk far due to the tumours in her bones, and said: “It will have to be a short aisle.”
The new parents fell in love after meeting at Bikram yoga in April 2012, embarking on a romantic trip to Europe together just months later.
Shortly after returning, Ms Buchholtz was diagnosed with stage 4 triple negative breast cancer and was forced to terminate the couple’s first pregnancy due to treatment.
As the Herald Sun revealed this week, Ms Buchholtz gave birth to baby Ava at 29 weeks at the Royal Women’s Hospital last Friday as the cancer has spread through her neck, spine, hips and thigh.
The family’s plight continues to touch people around the globe. One mum, Donna Berry, wrote on crowd-funding site mycause.com.au that her daughter, 8, was “very sad for you and your little baby’’.
“She donated $20 she had saved in her piggy bank to another cause and asked me to give her $20 for this cause and she would do jobs to pay me back,’’ she wrote.
Ms Buchholtz said Ava’s arrival had given her the strength to “keep fighting’’.
Herald Sun Story: Cancer mum Michelle Buchholtz’s courage inspires students’ letters of hope
YOU are our hero, Michelle Buchholtz.
They’ve never met her, but 100 schoolchildren are so inspired by the new mum’s bravery in fighting terminal cancer, they have penned moving letters of love.
Sydenham Hillside Primary School pupil Kristian, 11, said reading about Ms Buchholtz’s dream to live long enough to take her premature baby home “made tears come to my eyes’’.
“When every tear dropped it turned into hope,’’ he wrote.
“Hope for you and your family.
“We are all writing these letters because we care.’’
The pupils are among thousands who have reached out to the family this week, with their $50,000 fundraising goal more than quadrupled since the Herald Sun revealed their plight.
MUM’S WISH: HELP ME LIVE FOR AVA
Revelations that Ms Buchholtz, 38, and her fiance, Alex Ansalone, 37, plan to marry within weeks have also sparked a flurry of offers of wedding help.
Ava was born last Friday nearly three months premature in a bid to prolong her mother’s life.
Nadine, 11, wrote that “you and Ava are very strong and I hope that one day I can call you both my heroes’’.
“You don’t know me and I don’t know you. But I know your story and I know that you are not OK and that’s OK because you, Michelle Buchholtz, are a fighter,’’ she wrote.
“You are an inspiration to me and I can’t explain how your story has made me feel.’’
The first-time mother’s strength and positivity during her second battle with an aggressive cancer also touched the heart of Daniel, 11.
“You are always looking for the light at the end of the tunnel, so you will always find the light,’’ he wrote.
Teacher Luke O’Sullivan said five grade 5 classes at the school discussed the Herald Sun’s stories and all students wanted to take part in the optional letter writing.
The family are raising money for medical costs, including possible alternative therapies in China and intravenous vitamin C, plus a fund for Ava’s future.
Hearld Sun Editorial: Denis Napthine’s greatest fight
PREMIER Denis Napthine faces the fight of his political life over the next week.
Despite throwing everything but the kitchen sink at the Labor Party, with a negative advertising campaign and highlighting its own infrastructure agenda, expanded hospitals in Ballarat and Monash and more trains, the Liberals have failed to gain traction in the past fortnight.
Today’s Herald Sun/Galaxy opinion poll shows the two-party-preferred vote has stayed marooned at 52-48 in favour of the Daniel Andrews-led Labor.
The Liberal primary vote has also remained shackled at 35 per cent while Labor’s primary vote has picked up 1 per cent to 39 since the last poll was conducted almost a month ago.
Dr Napthine remains the preferred premier but, significantly, his lead over Mr Andrews has suffered a telling cut.
A month ago the Premier had a 16-percentage-point lead over his rival, now it’s 12.
Mr Andrews’ solid campaign performance has seen him reel in the numbers as voters focus their intent and his personal profile has risen.
Today’s poll result suggests Victorians are ready to elect a new government.
A forecast tightening of the race as election day neared has, to date, not materialised.
Despite being three weeks into the campaign, and with just eight days to go, the poll shows voter movement has stagnated.
The combined Liberal-Nationals Coalition remains on 40 per cent of the primary vote, compared with Labor’s 39.
But the Greens, tracking on 13 per cent, with independents and others on 8 per cent, will take preferences to help run Labor over the top of the incumbent government.
If that translates on November 29 Daniel Andrews will be premier.
While the campaigning from both sides has not exactly captured the imagination of the electorate, the numbers do show that Victorians are not engaging with the Liberals’ message.
The negative ad blitz partnering Labor with the CFMEU and accusations they would be a bad-for-business government willing to shred East West Link contracts is not working.
Polling has for three months placed Labor ahead, at levels similar to that which saw the Baillieu government elected in 2010.
But a week can be a long time in politics and an Andrews victory is not assured.
Hark back to 1999, when the polls had Jeff Kennett’s government on track to be returned, only to be proven wrong come election day.
Just a week ago a Sunday Herald Sun poll showed Liberal gains, including in the crucial sandbelt seat of Bentleigh.
Wednesday night’s Herald Sun/Sky News People’s forum in Frankston also indicated a tight fight.
It may well play out that while Labor makes statewide inroads in overall support, the election is won or lost in key marginals.
There is another full week of campaigning but time is running out for the Coalition. Both Liberal and Labor parties have held back any police recruitment policies and other surprises for the last quarter.
The coming days will either see Napthine and his team pull a political rabbit out of their hat or Labor consolidate its lead.
And, as the politicians themselves like to say, the only poll that counts in the end is polling day.
AVA TOUCHED OUR HEARTS
THE heartbreaking story of baby Ava and her terminally ill mother, Michelle Buchholtz, has reminded us all how selfless people can be.
Not only did Michelle, 38, choose to deliver Ava at just 29 weeks for the safety of both mother and baby, but she and fiance Alex Ansalone are driven by a desire to give their child the best chance at a happy future.
With Michelle’s cancer prognosis dire, the family’s only wish is to spend as much time together as possible.
The inspiring and tragic story, first reported in the Herald Sun on Wednesday, led to a wonderful show of generosity from Victorians and people throughout the nation.
Within 48 hours more than $120,000 had been donated towards an appeal for Michelle’s medical costs that could include radical therapies in China, currently unavailable here.
Funds will also go to helping establish a sound and happy future for little Ava.
Michelle and Alex have been overwhelmed by the support, prayers and messages of hope pouring in from complete strangers.
“I can’t say thank you enough. It’s so fantastic,’’ Michelle said of the response, including donations from overseas.
Alex had been desperately trying to raise money for Michelle’s treatment through crowd-funding.
“I can’t believe how much people who don’t even know Michelle and me are willing to support us,’’ he said.
There are thousands of courageous and tragic stories in our hospital system, most of which do not make front page news.
But it is heartening to see that when help is sought, the community can dig deep and offer such much-needed hope to a young family battling against the odds.
Today Show Story: Home for Christmas
A terminally ill young mother and her premature baby are fighting to be healthy enough to spend Christmas at home.
Michelle was diagnosed with cancer in 2012 and after many complications due to her battle with cancer, Michelle finally fell pregnant, and gave birth to baby Ava at 29 weeks.
Weighing just 1056 grams, tiny Ava was born by caesarean due to concerns her seriously ill mother would not be able to carry her full-term.
Parents Michelle Buchholtz and Alex Ansalone joined TODAY this morning from Epsworth Freemasons Hospital in Melbourne to give us an update on their progress.
Mother Michelle says little Ava is doing very well.
“Her food is increasing, not needing too much help with oxygen and she’s really going so she’s very happy,” she said.
“It’s just so comforting to know that Ava is doing well. I felt a bit awful that she had to come into the world so early but she’s doing well.
She was almost able to be off her oxygen last night meaning that she would only have to be fed through a tube, but she’s still a little bit not quite there,” she said.
Michelle says the medical staff expect Ava will be off having to be administered oxygen through a machine within another few weeks.
Michelle is currently preparing for another round of chemotherapy treatment for an aggressive form of breast cancer.
“I’m trying to get a good mindset happening for this next phase and I’m just concentrating on my natural medicine regime that I try to keep up to cope with the other things like chemotherapy.
“I’m currently having radio therapy which gives me pain relief so that just makes it a lot easier to try to move forward as well,” she said.
Alex started an online fundraising campaign in a bid to give his fiancée as much time as possible with their daughter.
“I think I’m on the frontline, not the sideline.
“We’re side by side through this and having Ava now has just been the best possible remedy for what we’ve been going through in the last month or so since the second diagnosis.
“We’re really, really happy with Ava and her health and Michelle’s progress and hopefully this next round of treatment will get Michelle through some more time,” he said.
Lisa asks of the chances that mother and child will be home for Christmas, but Michelle says the odds are slim.
“Myself, I will be, with the chemotherapy taking its toll a little bit I only have to be in and out of hospital after those treatments.
“Ava, we would love to have her home for Christmas but we don’t want to rush her and we think we might just slightly miss that timeframe but it’s better that she stays where she is.
“Definitely for the new year,” she said.
Alex took a moment to thank everyone, friends and strangers, for their support.
With the incredible reaction of support from the people of Victoria, our good friends at Michael Hill had a special gift for the engaged couple – supplying them both with wedding bands, free of charge.
3AW Story: Mother's plea for more family time
There’s a new little family that needs your help.
Michelle Buchholtz, 38, is critically ill with cancer and been given an outlook of just one to two years, but remains hopeful of five.
To further complicate matters, Michelle last week gave birth to a baby girl, Ava, who was delivered almost three months premature to protect the health of both mother and child.
Ms Buchholtz, who has already lost two children because of her illness, was unaware her cancer had returned when she fell pregnant with Ava.
“It’s really hard,” she told Neil Mitchell.
“You have to find a level of acceptance because you can’t change it.
“There’s no use wasting energy being angry, it’s just more about trying to do what I can do to survive as long as I can.”
Using the fundraising website My Cause, her partner, Alex, has started a campaign to raise funds in the fight to prolong Michelle's life and time with Ava.
With a fundraising target of $50,000, the couple is almost halfway there. The current tally is just over $23,000.
“I’ve just got to enjoy every moment I can and not think of my potential future and enjoy it while I’m here,” she said.
Ms Buchholtz remains in hospital, as does baby Ava, but the aim is to have both home for Christmas.
“She’s doing really well,” Ms Buchholtz said.
“She’s progressing really well, considering her birth time.
“I just tried to have the healthiest pregnancy I could and give her the best chance.”
Channel 9 News Story: Melbourne cancer mum's story leads to flood of donations
Australians have donated $90,000 in the past 24 hours to help a terminally-ill Melbourne mum fighting for more time with her premature baby.
Touching photos circulated yesterday showing Michelle Buchholtz, 38, in her hospital bed clutching her tiny girl, Ava Michelle Ansalone.
Ava was born last Friday by caesarean, three months premature, at the Royal Women’s Hospital due to concerns her mother would not be able to carry her full-term.
Ms Buchholtz's fiancé, Alex Ansalone, 37, started an online fundraising campaign to pay for her ongoing treatments — including chemotherapy, radiotherapy and a possible trip to China for alternative treatment not available in Australia — in a bid to give Ms Buchholtz as much time as possible with their daughter.
The couple told the Herald Sun they were awe-struck by the public's generosity, with the current tally standing at $100,000, including more than 1400 donations, according to their fundraising page.
"I can't believe how much people who don't even know Michelle and I are willing to support us," Mr Ansalone said.
Before Ava, the couple was forced to terminate two pregnancies due to aggressive chemotherapy.
They used IVF to get pregnant again, in the belief Ms Buchholtz was cancer-free, then discovered in August the tumours had returned and spread to her bones.
Ms Buchholtz is currently preparing for another round of chemotherapy treatment for an aggressive form of breast cancer.
The cancer is terminal, doctors say. Her wish is to survive long enough to take her daughter home from hospital when Ava is well enough.
- Michelle Buchholtz gave birth to Ava at 29 weeks in Melbourne last week
- Doctors feared the 38-year-old's cancer-stricken body wouldn't cope with full term pregnancy
- Her fiancé Alex Ansalone has been trying to raise money for cancer treatment to buy the new family more time together
- The couple had to terminate two pregnancies due to Ms Buchholtz being diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer in 2012
- Ms Buchholtz fell pregnant with Ava, but 17 weeks into the pregnancy her cancer returned and has spread to her bones
A mother battling terminal cancer has given birth to her daughter three months prematurely to help prolong her own life as she holds out hope of living long enough to take her baby home.
Michelle Buchholtz, 38, gave birth to Ava at 29 weeks in Melbourne on Thursday so she can undergo further cancer treatment as her health slowly deteriorates.
Ava was born via caesarean weighing just 1kg as Ms Buchholtz lay in the hospital bed wearing a neck brace due to fractures caused by her many tumours.
'It was difficult to be totally happy initially, I was looking at her thinking "Oh My God I'm not going to be here",' she told the Herald Sun.
'But when they put her on my chest a couple of days later everything sank away.
'You have to keep hope. I think that's a major part of survival. My aim is to be healthy enough to care for her when she comes home.'
Ms Buchholtz and her fiancé, Alex Ansalone, have been trying to raise money for cancer treatment to buy the new family more time together.
The couple have terminated two pregnancies since they started trying for a family - once during her first fight with an aggressive stage four breast cancer in 2012.
hey stored Ms Buchholtz's eggs before she underwent chemotherapy and had a double mastectomy.
Ms Buchholtz and Mr Ansalone decided to try again for baby Ava when Ms Buchholtz thought she was finally cancer free.
But 17 weeks into the pregnancy, her cancer returned and doctors said it had spread to her spine.
In just two months, 12 new tumours have grown and spread into her neck, back, pelvis, hip and thigh.
'We've been told her prognosis is not good and there's no cure,' Mr Ansalone told the newspaper.
'So having the baby has been the best thing at this stage. It has helped us push through.'
Ms Buchholtz was first diagnosed with breast cancer after the couple returned from a trip to Europe in October 2012.
The tumour along with 18 lymph nodes were removed and she had a double mastectomy as a precaution.
After a blood test showed Ms Buchholtz was pregnant, the couple decided to terminate the pregnancy so she could undergo intense chemotherapy.
The couple managed to fall pregnant naturally following the treatment, but again had to terminate in September last year after learning the child would not survive due to abnormalities.
In December, Ms Buchholtz had breast reconstruction surgery and was able to return to work in February.
An MRI confirmed in August that her cancer had spread to the spine.
Ms Buchholtz will now undergo radiotherapy and another round of chemotherapy following Ava's birth.
The couple expect Ms Buchholtz's ongoing treatment to exceed $40,000 and have set up a crowd funding website to help prolong her life.
For more information or to donate, visit Michelle Buchholtz's Cancer Fight.
- Michelle Buchholtz gave birth to Ava at 29 weeks in Melbourne last week
- Doctors feared the 38-year-old's cancer-stricken body wouldn't cope with full term pregnancy
- Australians donated more than $90,000 to the couple in 24 hours
- The couple had to terminate two pregnancies due to Ms Buchholtz being diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer in 2012
- Ms Buchholtz fell pregnant with Ava, but 17 weeks into the pregnancy her cancer returned and has spread to her bones
A mother who gave birth to her daughter three months prematurely while battling terminal cancer has had more than $90,000 raised for her family within 24 hours.
Michelle Buchholtz, 38, gave birth to Ava at 29 weeks in Melbourne on Thursday so she can undergo further cancer treatment as her health slowly deteriorates.
Ava was born via caesarean weighing just 1kg as Ms Buchholtz lay in the hospital bed wearing a neck brace due to fractures caused by her many tumours.
Ms Buchholtz said she could not thank the Australian public enough for their generosity.
'It means a lot in our lives. It relieves a bit of stress, helps give us more of an opportunity for Alex to spend time with Ava - little things like that really mean a lot,' she told the Herald Sun.
Ms Buchholtz and her fiancé, Alex Ansalone, had been desperately trying to raise money for cancer treatment to buy the new family more time together.
The couple have terminated two pregnancies since they started trying for a family - once during her first fight with an aggressive stage four breast cancer in 2012.
They stored Ms Buchholtz's eggs before she underwent chemotherapy and had a double mastectomy.
Ms Buchholtz and Mr Ansalone decided to try again for baby Ava when Ms Buchholtz thought she was finally cancer free.
But 17 weeks into the pregnancy, her cancer returned and doctors said it had spread to her spine.
In just two months, 12 new tumours have grown and spread into her neck, back, pelvis, hip and thigh.
'We've been told her prognosis is not good and there's no cure,' Mr Ansalone told the Herald Sun.
'So having the baby has been the best thing at this stage. It has helped us push through.'
Ms Buchholtz was first diagnosed with breast cancer after the couple returned from a trip to Europe in October 2012.
The tumour along with 18 lymph nodes were removed and she had a double mastectomy as a precaution.
After a blood test showed Ms Buchholtz was pregnant, the couple decided to terminate the pregnancy so she could undergo intense chemotherapy.
The couple managed to fall pregnant naturally following the treatment, but again had to terminate in September last year after learning the child would not survive due to abnormalities.
In December, Ms Buchholtz had breast reconstruction surgery and was able to return to work in February.
An MRI confirmed in August that her cancer had spread to the spine.
Ms Buchholtz will now undergo radiotherapy and another round of chemotherapy following Ava's birth.
The couple expect Ms Buchholtz's ongoing treatment to exceed $40,000 and have set up a crowd funding website to help prolong her life.
Channel 7 News Story: Dying mum's fight to have more time with baby girl
A brave Melbourne mother battling terminal cancer has miraculously given birth to a healthy baby girl three months early so she can continue her determined fight against the disease.
Michelle Buchholtz was forced to deliver her premature baby at 29 weeks because doctors feared her cancer-ridden body would not survive a full-term pregnancy.
Precious Ava was born at the Royal Women's Hospital last Friday by caesarian section, weighing a tiny 1053 grams.
Michelle's overwhelming feelings of joy and pride at giving birth were mixed with heartbreak at the notion she will not live long enough to see her grow up.
"It was difficult to be totally happy initially," Michelle told NewsCorp following the emotional delivery.
"I was looking at her thinking 'Oh My God, I'm not going to be here', but when they put her on my chest a couple of days later everything sank away."
While there is no cure for Michelle's illness, her fiance, Alex Ansalone, has started an online fundraising campaign for various other treatments in a bid to prolong her life and the precious time she has with Ava.
The birth of their little girl is a long-anticipated dream for the couple who have lost two other babies, one during Michelle's first battle against an aggressive stage four breast cancer in 2012.
Tragically, they discovered during a third pregnancy that the cancer had returned and spread to Michelle's bones.
On the fundraising page, Alex described Michelle as the 'love of his life' who had shown inspirational courage and strength during her battle with the devastating illness.
The couple met in April 2012 and after returning from a trip to Europe, Michelle discovered a lump in her right breast. A biopsy revealed she had stage four breast cancer - an aggressive form which is difficult to treat.
"We were devastated and had to act quickly," Alex said.
Michelle had surgery to remove the tumour, 18 lymph nodes and she opted for a double mastectomy as a precautionary measure.
In the wake of surgery, the couple discovered they were expecting their first child, but in a devastating turn of events, they were forced to terminate due to Michelle's ongoing treatment.
A second pregnancy a year later revealed abnormalities and again the couple were unable to continue with the pregnancy.
"By this point my admiration for Michelle was sky high," Alex said.
"She remained positive as always and did her best to push on."
The couple then decided to try for a third child once they were confident Michelle was cancer-free.
"In February this year, Michelle was able to return to work, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and feeling she had won her battle with breast cancer," Alex said.
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But six months later, Michelle, at 17 weeks pregnant, began suffering from back pain and a subsequent MRI scan confirmed the couple's worst fears - the cancer had returned.
"With no chance of a cure it is terminal and all we can do is try to extend her survival," Alex said.
The cancer rapidly invaded her spine, and within months tumours had spread to her neck, lower back, pelvis, hip and thigh.
Michelle's ongoing treatment could cost in excess of $40,000 - money the couple do not have, but could bide her time until her daughter is ready to go home.
Alex told NewsCorp that baby Ava had been a huge sense of hope and inspiration for the family.
"It was the greatest day of our lives," he said.
"We've been told her prognosis is not good and there's no cure.
"So having the baby has been the best thing at this stage. It has helped us push through."
Baby Ava is in the neonatal unit at the Royal Women's Hospital and it is hoped she will be fit enough to go home in three months.
The fundraising campaign has raised more than $57,000.
To support, donate at mycause or start a fundraising campaign for your cause.