Living Every Moment

We are fundraising to help our friend Ruth raise funds towards her cancer treatment. The treatment for her stage 4 melanoma is not currently funded here in New Zealand and the initial cost is $160,000.

Here are a few words from Ruthie:

Hi, I’m Ruth I am a strong healthy 42 year old just been dealt the shock of an incurable cancer diagnosis. There is so much to live for and I want to be here with my loving husband and our families as long as possible.

Three weeks ago I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Melanoma. I have been waiting to hear which type of cancer mutation I have and whether my treatment will be funded or not.

Three days ago I learned that my treatment is not currently funded here in New Zealand.

The melanoma that I have will not be cured but it can be treated with expensive immune therapy –one round of treatment will cost us $160,000.

Test results from others in my situation have been very positive, the injections that we are aiming to raise money for have dramatically shrunk tumours for the majority of those treated, and therefore increased their lifespan.

We feel very grateful to be living in New Zealand where there is constant and ongoing research taking place into all sorts of cancers, but in particular melanoma treatments are advancing rapidly.

We are extremely fortunate to be surrounded by such loving family and friends and thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. The Give a Little idea was put forward to us by several friends who want to do what they can to help, in our situation we do not have all the money needed for treatment and associated costs. Your kindness and thoughts means more than we can put into words.