Australia rallies around former Home and Away actress Alea O’Shea amid brain cancer battle

An incredible amount of money has been raised for Australian actor Alea O’Shea, who has been bravely battling brain cancer since November.

On Friday, a GoFundMe page was created for the former Home and Away star to allow her friends, family and fans to support her by helping out financially for expensive medical treatments.

In just four days, more than $85,000 has been donated, which will allow O’Shea to continue getting the care and surgeries she needs to fight the cancer.

The fundraiser was set up by Lauren Newton on behalf of O’Shea, with the organiser saying the young star recently endured another surgery.

“Alea is a remarkable young woman whose strength, kindness, and determination continue to inspire everyone around her,” Ms Newton wrote on the page.

“Over the past months, Alea has been bravely facing brain cancer and the many treatments that come with it.

“Last week, she underwent another surgery as part of her ongoing fight. While her courage has never wavered, the journey has been incredibly challenging for both Alea and her family.

“Thank you for your kindness, generosity, and for standing with Alea and her family during this difficult time.”

O’Shea was diagnosed at just 25-years-old and has since undergone several rounds of radiation and oral chemotherapy.

The radiation has caused hair loss on the right side of her head, which O’Shea described as “a very real and emotional experience”.

Earlier this year, a procedure resulted in the complete loss of movement on the left side of her body.

To help support other women who are also losing their hair as a result on cancer treatment, she kick-started her own fundraiser called Ceare (pronounced “because I care”) Wig Fund.

“Through this fund, I would love to help four women across Australia access bonded wigs during medical hair loss,” she wrote on the charity’s GoFundMe page.

“These wigs typically cost between $4000 and $6000 each and are often financially out of reach at a time when people are already facing significant medical and personal expenses.”

More than $13,000 has been raised from a goal of $18,000.

If donations exceed the initial goal, O’Shea will use the additional funds to support as many women as possible.

O’Shea starred on Home and Away between 2011 and 2014 and again from 2016 to 2017 as Darcy Callahan, the daughter of central character Heath Braxton.

The content creator announced her debilitating diagnosis in an Instagram video shared on November 29.

“This is a video I obviously thought I’d never have to make, but I’ve recently been diagnosed with brain cancer,” she said.

“It’s been a crazy few weeks.”

O’Shea explained she noticed something wasn’t right when her “smile was a little uneven, and it felt harder to talk”.

Despite the scary diagnosis, O’Shea has maintained a sense of humour throughout her journey by keeping her fans updated through goofy, candid videos and vlogs on social media.