Jimboomba's Charli Berghauser is recovering from lifesaving brain surgery and on Thursday night she will run on to Suncorp Stadium with skipper of her favourite NRL club, Darius Boyd.
The nine-year-old, who had an operation in Sydney on February 18 to remove a pineal cystic tumour from her brain, will grace the hallowed turf ahead of Thursday night's clash between the Brisbane Broncos and St George Illawarra Dragons.
The Broncos will also hand the passionate fan and Jimboomba Thunder player since the age of six her very own playing kit.
Last year, as Charli's life hung in the balance, the broader community pulled together to raise $100,000 to help her family pay for the vital surgery.
Through a Go Fund Me page, various charity events and auctioning off a Cowboys' jersey signed by Johnathon Thurston and teammates, $65,000 was raised, including an amazing contribution of $24,000 from staff, students, parents and supporters of Arundel's A.B Paterson College.
Touched by Charli's plight, Men of League came up with the remaining $35,000 to make the surgery possible.
Charli's mother Kas Berghauser said Charli was sitting out this season to heal but she loved rugby league and was particularly fond of the Brisbane Broncos NRLW side.
She said Charli was even lucky enough to be visited by Broncos' stars five-eighth Ali Brigginshaw and centre Meg Ward prior to Christmas.
"They gave her a signed Broncos and Jillaroos' jerseys and spent a couple of hours with her," she said.
Mrs Berghauser said it was harrowing when Charli was diagnosed with the condition back in October 2017.
She said the Jimboomba State School student had been constantly suffering headaches, pain, blurred vision, pins and needles, dizzy spells, blood noses and severe mood changes before an MRI revealed the cystic tumour.
Though the tumour itself was not life threatening, it was obstructing her cerebrospinal fluid and this blockage had the potential to cause fatal complications.
"People have died from the build-up of fluid," Mrs Berghauser said.
Determined to see their vibrant and active daughter returned to full health, the family took her to see world-leading neurosurgeon Dr Charlie Teo, one of the only people on the planet capable of removing the tumour.
Dr Teo told the Berghausers that Charli was the perfect candidate for the high-risk surgery and the fundraising effort began.
"He said to Charli you could come out of the surgery blind, or in a wheelchair or you could die on the table, and she said 'I don't care, get it out," Mrs Berghauser said.
Since the opration, Charli's rate of recovery has been remarkable and it is hoped she will return to school next term.
"All the symptoms are gone and she has only had one headache," Mrs Berghauser said.
"Dr Teo is the best in the world and we are lucky to have him in Australia.
"He has successfully completed the surgery maybe 150 times over 20 years.
"There are only a handful of people that have done this well in recovery.
"It's crazy the way she is coping.
"She's bored and wants to go back to school.
"I keep telling her 'you have to be bored for a little while longer'.
"She also has way too many friends for a kid of her age."
Mrs Berghauser said the family would like to thank each and every person who contributed in any way to the fundraising effort.
Follow Charli's story on Facebook at facebook.com/Charlis-Medical-Journey-1977324032482719
