PAIN and chemotherapy medication, and a feeding machine for a four-year-old boy with leukaemia were stolen during a devastating burglary at Alexandra Hills on Wednesday.
Angie and Adam Mitchell arrived home from work to find their house ransacked and at least $15,000 worth of property stolen.
“I feel like they must have had so much hate for us,” Mrs Mitchell said.
“They trashed every room, except my daughter’s bedroom.
“They emptied our cupboards, even the linen cupboard, threw everything out of our bedside cabinet and even smashed glasses.”
The family have had to move out of their house while they clean up because of Eddie’s susceptibility to germs.
“We can’t have Eddie in an unhygienic environment,” Mrs Mitchell said.
“If one of them (the thieves) had whooping cough and coughed in his bedroom that could put Eddie’s health on the line.”
Also taken were iPads, laptops, a vacuum cleaner, perfume, a shaver and jewellery like wedding rings, engraved cuff links and bracelets.
“Everything that they could take they did and other things were damaged. Our television was left behind but is cracked.
“In the lounge room the only things left untouched were the two couches that weren’t overturned.”
A canvas of superheroes in Eddie’s room was ripped and his belongings strewn across the floor.
“We had a prize box of toys, things we could give to Eddie when he was brave for something, that was stolen.
“We would give him something from there when he had an injection at home, chemo at home or had to fast for hours before going into surgery which he has to do every month.”
It has been another hard blow for the couple who were given Eddie’s leukaemia diagnosis about a year ago.
“We have had some pretty big scares – in fact, we’re lucky to still have him,” she said.
Evidence of Eddie’s plight hangs on the front door where a sign asks visitors who have been sick or around a sick person to avoid the home.
Since the family’s story was shared on social media and television, people, including members of a Redlands mums Facebook group, have offered help.
“It has restored my faith in humanity,” Mrs Mitchell said.
“I am so proud to be living in this community.”
Mrs Mitchell said their property managers from LJ Hooker Redland Bay had helped for hours after the break-in was discovered.
Although some losses will be covered by insurance, a family friend has started a crowdfunding page to help the Mitchell’s. The page is at gofundme.com/holding-up-hope.
