Hope for Phoebe

08/06/2026

Phoebe is almost a week post-heart surgery. It went well and she is currently in ICU recovering. It was a long day for her.. and me 😥

She's had a few post-op complications. These are things we've experienced before and are familiar with, but they do slow down recovery. Despite that, she's doing okay and everything is being monitored and managed 🙏

Our surgeon was very happy with how the operation went & I am very thankful to him and every single person in there that kept her safe and continues to do so.

What we thought was an aneurysm turned out to be something different, and something they hadn't seen before, but luckily it made the surgery a little less complicated. When talking with the surgeon later In sync we both looked at her and said " Phoebe is unique"

Once she's recovered, we need to wait at least three months before any further surgeries can be considered. For now, the focus is on healing and helping her get stronger every day. As you can imagine she is not in the best of spirits at the moment but hopefully soon she will be starting to feel better.

Thank you so much to everyone who prayed, and kept Phoebe in your thoughts. I am so grateful for the love and support.
🙏💗❤️‍🩹

29/05/2026

Just a little update on Phoebe

The results of her CT came back and unfortunately Phoebe will be undergoing open heart surgery again next week to redo the same area they operated on last time (and the time before), as well as remove /repair an aneurysm they’ve now found in her heart. To say I’m extremely anxious is an understatement, especially after everything that happened following her last surgery.

Because her Abernethy malformation still hasn’t been repaired, bypass puts her at a much higher risk of complications again, I'm assured that everyone is going to do everything they can to reduce the risks of another 🧠 injury.

This definitely feels like another huge bump in the road, but I’m trying to stay hopeful and take things one step at a time.
If everyone could please keep Phoebe in your thoughts and send some good vibes, prayers, healing energy, whatever you believe in, our way, I’d be so grateful right now ❤️

Phoebe shows time and time again just how strong and resilient she is, and I know she’s got this. She wants & deserves to be here so badly, and I truly believe in her 💝

06/05/2026

Phoebe Update 🩷

Since Phoebe's heart is not good, the next step is a CT scan to determine whether her pulmonary arteries can be treated. The issue is not only narrowing, but that her arteries are also naturally very small due to her anatomy and in some cases, they can be too small to treat at all.
The CT will give more information 🙏

Because of this, Phoebe’s Abernethy surgery has now been cancelled, as the hospital we were planning to attend no longer feels equipped to manage her complexities from a cardiac perspective.
So, back to square one.

Our surgeon is now exploring other overseas options, as he operates in other countries as well. Brazil may be possible, but Chicago remains my first preference. However, at over half a million dollars, it would take a miracle which is why I have had to be explore alternative locations.

Right now, everything depends on Phoebe’s CT results and whether her heart can be improved enough for surgery to move forward.

I truly thought we had a plan. Instead, we are facing more waiting, more uncertainty, more heart surgery, and very scary times ahead. 💔
Surely some better news is right around the corner 🙏🤞

14/04/2026

Phoebe has had a couple of hospital admissions within the last week.
Her most recent was for her heart. Unfortunately her heart is not good and they were unable to help her through a cath lab procedure (through groin much less invasive) it's not the news I'm hoped for at all 💔but on a positive note we were lucky to see Harry and Megan after Phoebe was discharged today.
There were lots of smiling faces today and that's a win in a often very sad place.
They were both very kind and caring towards the kids

12/04/2026

A very big thank you to Jessie and Kimmy Sal and Jessie Skvarc for organising the art for Phoebe auction. There was such a cool mix of art. You can check out the artists and other work they have through the auction link.
It was so great to see lots of bids!
And a very special thank you to all of the artists who donated their artwork.
Urbanartlc -Leanne Carew
Chris de Hoog
Kimberley Alyce x5
Kerrin Whiting
Kate Rogers
Jessie Skvarc
Vanessa Esau -Artful dabbling
Joel Walter
Ronald Green
Geordie McDonald
Mike Mclean
🩷🩷🩷
Thank you so much!

Silent auction 'Art for Phoebe' hosted online at 32auctions.

03/04/2026

Good Friday Appeal 2026

So grateful to The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne for the care and support they’ve given and continue to give Phoebe and I over the past three years

A huge thank you to everyone donating today and holding fundraising events 🙏 You help kids like Phoebe, and so many others who need it.

RCH has saved Phoebe’s life multiple times allowing me to have all this precious time with her 🥹
While we still have challenges ahead, I will always be so thankful for everything they’ve done for her and continue to do for all the children and families who find themselves there. 🫶

31/03/2026

A huge thank you to VIBE Fitness Studios Geelong and all the members who got involved in the 24hr Sweat for a Cause fundraiser 💛 What an incredible effort by everyone.

Phoebe and I are so incredibly grateful for the support and we feel so lucky to have met such wonderful people along the way.

If you’d still like to help, there’s still time to support us and the shaka project. In the online auction. It's running until April 4th so only a few more days.
There are some amazing prizes, generously donated 🙏
https://www.32auctions.com/organizations/134825/

You can also have a listen to our recent radio interview here: Thank you to 94.7 The Pulse Local Legends Radio Show
https://m.soundcloud.com/tim-carr-20/emily-burke-phoebe-fundraisers

A special thank you to Chelsea and Jordan from Vibe fitness. I truly appreciate everything you’ve done 🫶

20/03/2026

Together we can do SO much! 🫶

Phoebe heading into VIBE Fitness Studios Geelong this morning in her Sweat for a Cause Tshirt.

If you like to join me and show your support next weekend
🕡Classes start from 630am on Saturday 28th and finish at 630am Sunday 29th.

Themed classes include: (no pressure to dress up)
✨ 90s throwback 12pm
✨ Military Bootcamp 3pm
✨️Dynamic Duos 6pm
✨️ Rainbow party 9pm
✨ Midnight Madness 12am
✨ Pajama Party 3am
✨️The final countdown 6:30 am

No Limits Geelong will kick off the live entertainment from 10 am.
There will also be many things happening :
Massages, clinical Pilates session, myo, physio, Kids activities, auctions and so much more 🎉

$25 per class
$60 for unlimited sessions across the full 24 hours and all $ goes to:

💛 Hope for Phoebe
💛 The Shaka Project (supporting men’s mental health & su***de prevention)

I’ll be there for almost all classes plus some circuits. (except midnight) but I WILL be back for the 3AM pajama party!

Come sign up with me, hold me accountable and make sure I show up
I’d love some friendly faces there to workout with

Sign up here 🩷https://the-shaka-project.grassrootz.com/vibefit-24-sweat-for-a-cause

19/03/2026

We feel so incredibly grateful for everything that’s being done for us through the art auction and Vibe fitness challenge fundraiser.

The generous, and kind people out there, giving their time, energy, and hearts to support Phoebe
means so much 🩷🙏

18/03/2026

Still got some wine left.
If you think you could sell some between your friends/family / colleagues, I'll be happy to bring you a case it would be so helpful 🩷🙏