Barry’s cancer fight, the hardest marathon he will endure!

Four weeks ago, Barry Sharp, our father and grandfather to five young grandchildren was diagnosed with stage 4 Lung Cancer that has spread to his bones.  It is incurable and inoperable.  As you can imagine, this has ripped our family’s whole world apart resulting in many tears and a heap of adult words.

Barry at 61yrs of age has spent his whole life in Titirangi, growing up in Shaw Road, then moving to our family home in South Titirangi Road.  He supported our family running his own pest control business “Acute Pest Extermination”: A.P.E.  He is well know to the community as the WASP MAN. In September 2020 Barry fell while at a running event and ended up needing extensive Rotator cuff surgery meaning he has been unable to fulfill his normal work hours since his fall and has now had to close his business in order to concentrate on his cancer treatment.

One of Barry’s passions is running and over the years he has successfully run 17 Marathons, 6 Ultra-marathons and 15 Half Marathons.  He coaches a lot of young kids at the Glen Eden Harriers Club.  At the moment he is unable to run but still goes along to events to support the kids that he has been coaching. It breaks his heart not being able to run alongside them.

Unfortunately, the type of Lung Cancer he has doesn’t give him many treatment options.

Barry is about to start Chemotherapy and his Oncologist has recommended he also start an unfunded Immunotherapy treatment called Keytruda. This will give him the best chance at shrinking his cancer and keeping it under control.  Last year before Covid 19 hit, the Government were going to fund this treatment, but now that option has been taken away from us. In a few years’ time it might become an option but Barry does not have time on his side. However, even with medical insurance, Keytruda will cost him approximately $63,000.

It would be great if our parents could have a little more time to enjoy some of their retirement together. Our family all wish for him to continue living with the best quality life he can, for as long as possible. So he can spend more time with his Grandchildren, watching them grow.

So many people have asked “how can we help?” By making a small donation this is one way that would help lighten their load. I know it would mean the absolute world to Barry and all of his family.

If Barry can run that many Marathons, he definitely has the endurance to give this cancer a bloody good fight! By using this recommended treatment it gives him the best chance to help fight this awful cancer.

On behalf of our family, thank you so much for reading this.

Deanna Sharp-Hillyard (Daughter) and

Richard Sharp (son)

*EDIT*

A message from Dad (Barry)

Jenny and I are overwhelmed and humbled by the love & kindness that has been shown to us both and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts 💕 for your donations! We feel incredibly lucky to be surrounded and supported by such fabulous people!