Stephanie (29) and her sister (27) have always been close.

“She is my younger sister so I guess I have always been a little bit protective of her.  I look at her now and I see such a strong woman and mother. A mother, who will stop at nothing to help her son.”

Stephanie’s nephew, Alexander Christodoulou, was born six weeks premature and with a host of medical issues ranging from an undiagnosed genetic disorder to developmental delay and hypotonia (low muscle mass). He was born with a malformed cochlea and no hearing nerves, making him profoundly deaf.

He underwent his first surgery at 1 day old and now requires oxygen mask to breathe.

But his mother, Anne, has been by his side and will do everything in her power to help Alexander to hear.

“She works around the clock to support Alexander, researching and meeting doctors and surgeons around the world to try to come up with a solution.”

An emerging technique and a surgeon confident it will assist Alexander to hear for the first time is in Milan, Italy.

But the current Australian healthcare system does not cover the cost of  this procedure.

That’s where doting aunt and supportive sister Stephanie comes in. Two months ago she set up a crowdfunding page to raise much-needed funds to help cover Alexander’s medical costs and relieve some of the financial strain her sister and husband have found themselves in.

“We have been so overwhelmed by the generosity of the community.”

“I love my nephew. He is such a smiley and happy child.”

As a mother herself, Stephanie wants to do all she can to support her sister.

To donate to support the Christodoulou fmaily visit http://www.gofundme.com/jps5rg.

Follow Alexander’s development, “Alexander’s quiet world” on Facebook