Clare’s Fight for Life

$53,283 donated

Given by 200 generous donors in around 8 months

Help Clare to self fund the cancer treatment Kadcyla so that she may continue to fight breast cancer and enjoy life with her familiy.

Canterbury

Clare Dunlop has stage 4 breast cancer and has reached the end of her treatment programme. Only one drug can now prolong her life and allow her to spend as much time with her family as possible. This drug - Kadcyla - is not funded and places a huge burden on the patients wishing to use it. The drug costs in excess of $8000 for one dose and that doesn’t even include the extra expense of administration by the hospital, so in reality the costs is far greater. But what price can you place on a life?

Clare is a mother of three boys and the grandmother of a gorgeous three year old. She is also a loved daughter, sister, wife and friend. She has had an extraordinary impact on her community during her life - being a Plunket Nurse throughout the Canterbury district. She is heavily involved with horses and attends one day events with her youngest son whenever possible. She lives life to the full and has the simple wish to continue doing that for as long as possible.

Breast cancer is cruel, it does not discriminate, it wreaks havoc throughout our society tearing families apart yet a wonder drug like Kadcyla which can extend life for these precious women and their families is not funded. Clare needs your help - please give a little or a lot and help her to have as much time with her familiy as is possible.

Anya Galbraith's involvement (page creator)

Clare is my cousin but is also a mother, wife, sister, grandparent, Plunket nurse and active member of her community. She means so much to so many. She has Stage 4 breast cancer and needs to self fund the drug Kadcyla in order to continue her fight to live.

Use of funds

All money raised will be used to fund Clare’s treatment of stage 4 breast cancer with the drug Kadcyla.

Other page links

ipetitions.com/petition/kadclya-saving-lives

Final Update 10 March 2019

Clare has made the decision that it is time to close the page and it is my great honour to bring all the threads of this amazing journey together as I take you on a look back through all that we have achieved. I deliberately use the word ‘we’ because you have meant so much to Clare and her family at this difficult time - I don’t think that words on a page will ever convey that enough. Please know that you did make a difference - and your support, no matter how large or small, meant so much at such a bleak time.

Right from the start this page was about two things - raising money to fund the life-saving drug, Kaycyla, and raising support for change. I’m pleased to say both have been achieved. Clare has now undergone 11 doses of Kadcyla and the drug continues to allow her to enjoy the most important thing in life - spending time with her family. She is truly humbled by the financial support of family, friends and those who wish to remain anonymous. Funds came through the page but were also raised by raffles, stalls and sponsored events - the community came together to support Clare and recognise what an important part she has been (and will continue to be) as part of them. Funds also came in privately - the support has been overwhelming.

Clare hasn’t just been fighting for her own life though - she has been battling for change for every woman. This has meant making her private struggle a public one - a huge step to take but such an important one.

Clare and some family members flew to Wellington to be part of a group presenting a petition to Parliament. The petition demanded change to the way Kadcyla and other life-saving drugs were funded. No woman should ever be forced to make a decision about the length and quality of her life based on money - and so this amazing group of women asked that Pharmac change their funding model so that the drug is available to all. While I cannot tell you that change has been achieved yet - the signs are promising - a decision will be announced this year and our hopes are high.

Asking for help is never an easy thing to do - it means making yourself vulnerable. Clare’s courage is an inspiration to us all - but please know that her ability to continue fighting was up to you.

Nga mihi nui ki a koe - kia kaha.

Great thanks and acknowledgment to you - be strong xx

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