As a long-time volunteer with the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) and Pacific Palms Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC), David Ellis knows all too well about a good battle.
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At the height of the 2019 bushfires, which ravaged a large chunk of the Great Lakes and beyond, David was behind a hose for days on end, battling to save properties and lives.
Now, David is facing a bigger, more life threatening battle.
Over the festive season he began to feel incredibly tired.
David put his lethargy down to long hours on the firefront.
However, unable to shake the fatigue David visited his local GP for some routine blood tests.
The results were devastating; David had developed an aggressive form of leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia.
He was given just seven days to live unless he began intensive chemotherapy immediately.
According to family friend, Emily Cox, David has already completed one round of chemo in Newcastle, and began round two earlier this week.
But, treatments are varied and uncertain at this stage, she said.
"It is clear that there is a long road ahead for David and (wife) Michelle.
"We want to provide urgent financial relief to take the financial pressure off David and Michelle so they can focus on each other, David's recovery and their much-loved children and step-children Anita, Dean, Matthew, Dekan and grandson Vedder."
Emily described the couple as pillars of the Pacific Palms community.
David helped build the Sandbar Golf Course, the couple's children went through the nippers program and attended Pacific Palms public and Forster high schools.
Previously a co-owner of the Oasis Petrol Station, David is a life member of the Pacific Palms SLSC and he has been an active volunteer for close to three decades.
He is the club's duty officer, trainer, club official, licensee has served two terms as president and heads the call-out teams.
"David works training others in first aid training and his work has again, indirectly, saved and helped another untold number of lives.
"His volunteer work in the RFS in 2019 in our community was both selfless and brave and his commitment always is unwavering.
"He is a hero; David and Michelle both are.
"And now we need to help Dave and Michelle while they work to save his life."
To help the Ellis family as they move through this difficult time, the community has set up a GoFundMe page and has planned a fundraising event at the Pacific Palms Recreation Club on April 18.
"This is a very special family who are loved by many, but they are facing a very difficult time."
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