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A page to raise funds for Dr McLennan's Cancer Treatment

  • Still in remission and Spring is here

      4 September 2024
    Posted by: Logan McLennan

    The response has been amazing and it has enabled me to pay for all the recent injections of daratumumab at $10,230.00 per injection. Latest tests show I am still in remission. Janssen Pharmaceuticals who market daratumumab in New Zealand started a one-for-one subsidy. You pay for one shot and get the next one free. A condition of the subsidy was that you had to be on a Medsafe approved combination of therapy. My combination was not approved even though good studies from 2021 had proven its benefits and the US FDA had approved the combination in 2021. I wrote to Medsafe asking why the combination was not approved and they replied more or less saying that Janssen had not applied for approval and Medsafe would only then look at the evidence for safety. In other words, Medsafe is reactive and not proactive when it comes to oncology medicines and combinations. A “Catch 22” existed whereby Janssen would not grant the subsidy because my combination was not Medsafe approved but they had not applied for approval. So, my haematologist changed me back to bortezomib (that is funded by Pharmac) which gave me an approved combination and I have just now been accepted for the 1-for-1 subsidy by Janssen..

    Pharmac may announce that they are funding daratumumab using some of the new money in the budget but I think it is unlikely because there are many competing cancer drugs under consideration.

    I am very grateful and sustained by the contributions and comments you have made.

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  • What an incredible result

      14 March 2024

    A sincere and overdue thank you to everyone for all their amazing support with our fundraising effort. We could have never imagined this result when we began, it's truly blown us away - and it has taken so much pressure off Mum and Dad. Thanks to everyone, from the bottom of my heart. It is so wonderful to see the good of humanity coming out In all your generous acts. Māku e kii atu, he tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata.

    I know Dad has been doing his best to respond to everyone he can individually. His blood results are also showing amazing progress so the treatment is working! We feel very lucky. And he's out biking and making the most of every moment! And to Nick from the Herald and Nichola Oakenfull, thanks so much for helping us with our journey. Hopefully the publicity will lead to a better result for all the other Myeloma Patients out there. From my whanau to all of yours - aroha mai, aroha atu.

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  • Amazing Progress with Dad's treatment.

      22 February 2024

    Kia ora all, wow, we are still so humbled and touched by all the amazing support Dad has received, and every dollar and every word you have given makes a world of difference.

    Dad's tests last week revealed that his light chain levels (cancer indicators) are at their lowest level for 4 years and he's firmly on track for a strong remission! We are so lucky - and grateful to you all. Aroha atu, aroha mai.

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  • A heartfelt thankyou to you all

      9 February 2024
    Posted by: Logan McLennan

    I am humbled and simultaneously up-lifted by all the donations and comments which have been made and my thanks to you all is heart-felt. The expensive treatment I have started is aimed at achieving a deeper and longer remission and is at the frontier of treatment. Myeloma is cancer of plasma cells hidden inside the bone marrow and so it harder for drugs to get to the rogue cells. For those New Zealanders who have no chance of paying for them, they are left with no option but to be treated with older drugs funded by Pharmac which can induce partial remissions which usually do not last very long. The donations you have made to Give-A-Little will go a long way to help me achieve a deeper and longer remission and I am very grateful to you all. The comments that you have made have been very uplifting and have raised my spirits greatly. I thank you all.

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    • 09/02/2024 by Trecaine

      Àrohamai Dr M',clennan.

      You were my four childrens doctor when I was still living in Porirua in the 90,s. There ages are 38,31,30,26 today. You were so kind & patient & a brilliant doctor it make me sad to hear you have this bone marrow disease. I know their are many people like myself who wish you well & a speedy recovery when the money raised for your treatment does help you. So sad to hear about your wife as well. Your two amazing children are your strength to see you both get the help you both truly need. It's sad to read this but I know you both are strong & will stay that way for a positive outcome. All the best from me & my four children.

  • Wow.

      3 February 2024

    I just wanted to say a heartfelt thanks for all the amazing comments, donations and aroha so far. We are overwhelmed. Dad has been reading them all and is humbled and touched by all the kindness. Arohanui x

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  • Treatment update 1/2/24

      1 February 2024

    Dad has started the latest treatment and it looks like the abnormal light chain proteins are already reducing, meaning he's on track for another remission. Amazing news, thanks so much for the support everyone!

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