Young Whakatāne woman Rachel Weatherly, who has been fundraising to afford lifesaving treatment, has received a date for surgery in Australia.

There is another fundraiser happening in Whakatāne tomorrow, and her Givealittle page is still active.

Miss Weatherly is diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and Abdominal Vascular Compression Syndrome, which make eating extremely painful and have caused the former star footballer to become severely malnourished.

She is currently in Australia after being approved for surgery by Dr Gert Frahm-Jensen.

The surgery is scheduled for September 8 at Calvary Bruce Private Hospital in Canberra and will target Miss Weatherly’s abdominal vascular compressions.

“Dr Frahm-Jensen was super knowledgeable and very validating,” she said.

“He has explained this surgery isn't a total cure as I have many other physical issues going on inside my body, but surgery will fix all symptoms relating to my abdominal vascular compressions.

“We already knew this heading over there, but we are pretty sure fixing these compressions will be enough to sustain myself orally and remove many other symptoms I battle.”

Miss Weatherly said Dr Frahm-Jensen is also the head vascular surgeon at Canberra’s public hospital, where he does surgeries of this nature for Australian residents through the public system.

“Vascular compressions are recognised a lot better in Australia than they are here in New Zealand.”

Dr Frahm-Jensen is also consulting some gastro colleagues to see if something can be done about Miss Weatherly’s visceroptosis, a separate stomach issue, while she is in Australia.

“If not, we will continue to try pursue any options available in New Zealand and hopefully save us having to look further overseas to get this looked into more and treated.”

The Weatherly family are still unsure of how much the surgery will cost, with quotes still to be sent by the hospital and anaesthesiologist.

Miss Weatherly said they believed enough money has been raised to cover the surgery cost, if all goes to plan without any major complications.

She does not know how long recovery will take due to Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and other co-morbidities making things unpredictable, and she thinks it could take anywhere from a few weeks to six months.

She will remain in Australia until her surgery date, meaning she’ll miss the car show fundraiser being held in her honour tomorrow.

The Whakatāne Hardpark car show fundraiser kicks off at midday tomorrow at the carpark across from 1XX and is being organised by Miss Weatherly’s high school friend Jack Badger.

There will be raffles sponsored by Wills Autoworks, Commerce Street Autos, Southern Cross Autos, Orange Motor Co, Repco, Mitre 10 and MXD Motocross Direct.

“Jack loves cars, so it was right up his alley to do a car show. My dad Pete is also a motorhead, so he is gutted he is going to miss this event,” Miss Weatherly said.

“It means so much to my family and I to be supported by the community like this. It's hard to put into words how it feels to receive all this love and support. We are so grateful to have been brought up in this amazing community that has each other's backs. It's a surreal feeling.”