Cliff’s cancer fight - help us pay for treatment

Our story so far.... my hubby Cliff (42 years) was fobbed off for a few years with bowel symptoms being told he was too young. A week before Xmas 2017 he had a colonoscopy (privately as we were still waiting to see a Dr in public!) which gave him the devastating diagnosis of bowel cancer which had spread to his liver. Cliff bravely fought through multiple surgeries (that had multiple complications), radiation and chemo throughout 2018 and after having half his liver removed he was given a 50% chance of living a cancer free life. Unfortunately his first post treatment scan in March showed that the liver metastasis had returned as well as a new one in his lung. He is now classed as inoperable.

The tests have shown that he is likely to benefit from Cetuximab combined with chemo to try and slow the progression of the disease. Unfortunately Cetuximab isn’t funded in NZ and his medical insurance have declined pay for it so we’re faced with asking for help to pay for it. This is something we find hard to do but we’re willing to do anything that buys him some more time to make memories with the kids.

The last scan in May showed that the lesions had doubled in size but because Cliff is feeling ok and not too symptomatic they decided he could be monitored for another 3 months. His next scan is in August and it’s likely then that he will need to start treatment. We have amazing support from all of our family and friends and especially Cliffs employers Laser Electrical and we are reluctant to ask for help but unfortunately cancer treatment doesn’t come cheap in NZ. Cliffs medical insurance will pay for the chemo but we’re looking at around $23k for the Cetuximab plus other expenses while he undergoes treatment. And hopefully cliff will be well enough to try and enjoy some family fun times too making memories with the kids x