Bruce Needs Our Help 💛
Fundraising for non funded medical treatments to fight Bruces rare and aggressive appendix cancer
Kaukapakapa, Auckland
Our dear friend Bruce is facing the fight of his life after being diagnosed with a rare and aggressive stage 4 appendix cancer.
After seeking medical opinions in New Zealand, Australia, and overseas, Bruce and his wife Leslie believe his best chance for survival is urgent Cytoreductive Surgery + HIPEC (CRS/HIPEC) with specialist Dr Sanket Mehta in Mumbai, India.
Recent scans have shown the cancer is now severely compressing Bruce’s bowel, and he is currently on a strict liquid diet while the family urgently prepares to travel to India within the next 10–14 days.
This surgery offers real hope, but the financial cost is significant. Funds raised will help cover surgery, flights, accommodation, recovery, and ongoing treatment expenses.
Bruce is a deeply loved husband, devoted father of two young children, and a man of strong Christian faith. Through every challenge, Bruce and Leslie continue to trust God and walk this journey with courage, honesty, and hope. They are believing this journey to India may become part of a greater story of healing, faith, and God’s provision.
If you are able to give, no matter the amount, it would mean so much to their family.
Most importantly, please pray for healing, wisdom, safe travel, successful surgery, and peace for Bruce, Leslie, and their children.
Thank you for standing with them during this difficult season. Your generosity, love, and prayers truly make a difference. 🙏
Sara-Maria Sanvicens' involvement (page creator)
We are dear friends of the Hurd family.
Use of funds
28/04/2026 - Towards Non funded Medical treatment, at this stage Avastin and also alternative treatments Bruce is taking to support him through the Chemo journey.
12/05/2026 - Updated use of funds: Cytoreductive Surgery + HIPEC (CRS/HIPEC) treatment in India, and ongoing unfunded cancer treatments.
Latest update
2 weeks in India 29 May 2026
It has now been a week since Bruce's surgery.
During the operation, the surgeon discovered that the cancer was more extensive than originally expected, which meant they were unable to complete the full CRS HIPEC procedure. However, they were still able to remove 80% of the cancer and install a chemo port ready for Bruce to start chemotherapy in India once he has recovered and regained some strength over the next three weeks.
One week after surgery Bruce is making encouraging progress. He is already up and walking the hospital corridor, consuming all the various liquid concoctions the hospital give him and has started on smoothies.
This change in treatment does mean there will be further costs to come, including specialised treatment which will be undertaken by the expert team in India, additional accomodation expenses, and potentially another surgery following chemotherapy.
Thank you so much for all your generosity, and support. It is truely appreciated.
Latest donations
Who's involved?
Help Fundraise
You can create your own page to help fundraise for this cause.Page Q&A
One question has been asked already. Check it out and ask yours here.Any concerns?
Report this pageThank the donor
Your message will be displayed on the page and emailed to the donor.
Your new message will also be emailed to the donor.
Saving a blank entry will delete the current comment.