Levi Tracy: Heartbreaking blow for grieving parents days after Perth teen lost his brave fight for life with cancer
- Levi Tracy lost two-year cancer battle
- Heartless scammers trying to profit from his pain
- READ MORE: I was living the dream at 20 when my sister noticed a tiny freckle on my shoulder blade - then I was given some shattering news
The father of a brave young Aussie who tragically lost his battle with cancer has hit out at heartless scammers who are trying to profit from his death.
Levi Tracy, 19, passed away at Fiona Stanley Hospital in Perth last week after a two-year battle from acute myeloid leukaemia.
The disease is caused by an abnormal growth of white bloods cells which creates tumours in the body. The condition prevents the immune system from fighting germs and infection.
Levi's battle with cancer captured the hearts of many Australians who followed his story in recent years.
But now his father, Mark, has revealed that fraudsters have allegedly seized on his son's recent death,
He's shattered that alleged online scammers have used his son's name and photo in an attempting to drum up donations from followers.
'It's in poor taste really,' Mr Tracy told PerthNow.
'I'm trying to be civil without losing my s**t.'
Levi Tracy (pictured) lost his brave fight with acute myeloid leukaemia last week
Administrators of the Lifeline for Levi Facebook group, which has 4,000 members, said that it was a 'pretty damn sad day when someone rides on the back of a young boy's death'.
They alleged that the scammers approached members asking for 'any contribution, big or small'.
'I am reaching out to ask for your support in a difficult time,' one scam message read.
'Recently our beloved Levi passed away leaving behind a family in need of our help.'
'To assist them in this challenging period, I am seeking donations to cover funeral expenses and provide financial support.'
An official GoFundMe page set up by family friend Deb Butler on their behalf, has so far raised more than $22,500.
Levi's father, Mark, has revealed that fraudsters have allegedly seized on his son's recent death, attempting to drum up donations from followers
They alleged that the scammers approached members asking for 'any contribution, big or small' (pictured: an allegedly fraudulent page)
Mr Tracy said that the Go Fund Me was the only official channel for donations.
'We're very humbled and very appreciative of all the support we've been given, (but) we have never reached out and asked for a donation,' he said.
'Feel free to donate if that's what you want to do... we appreciate everything that comes our way, but we've never asked.'
The devastated father also urged Australians to donate blood if they could, to help those in a similar situation to Levi.
'Levi was having multiple (blood) products a day, but right towards the end it was quite hectic,' he said.
'There was two particular days where he had eight or nine bags of different products, and that's got to come from somewhere.
'And Levi's just one of many people going through that type of situation (so) we just need everyone who's able… take the time to help someone else, to save a loved one - because we understand firsthand how important that stuff is.'
Levi (pictured) who lived in Perth, was first diagnosed with cancer when he was just seven before the disease was detected again ten years later
The family of the 19-year-old (pictured left), were trying to find a blood stem cell match so that he could receive a life-saving bone marrow transplant
Mr Tracy broke the news of his son's death on Tuesday last week.
'This day was never meant to arrive,' he wrote.
'We are broken beyond compare. We have no idea how to move forward and keep going, but we will find a way. Levi would want that.'
'He fought a massive fight and never gave up, the mountain was just too big.'
Mr Tracy explained that doctors had struggled to stabilise him in the early hours of Monday morning before the family visited him later that day.
Levi, who lived in Perth, was first diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins T-Cell lymphoma when he was just seven years old.
After enduring several rounds of chemotherapy for two-and-a-half years, he was finally in remission before he turned 10.
But Levi, who found a job as a FIFO worker before he was admitted to hospital, was dealt a cruel blow when he was diagnosed with cancer a second time at the age of 17.
His family had been trying to find a blood stem cell match so that Levi could receive a life-saving bone marrow transplant.
The procedure allows a person who is not producing enough healthy blood cells to receive the protein from a healthy person who can supply the essential fluid.
Friends and loved ones were constantly providing updates on Levi's condition on social media.
Levi's funeral will be held this Friday (July 12) at a time and venue yet to confirmed.
