Kind Anna needs your compassion and generosity.

Anna has always put others before herself and would never have thought that now she needs your help. Anna’s kind, gentle, compassionate nature has touched so many people, through her work as a support worker, her friendship with others and her closeness with her husband Peter, her two boys, her daughter in law and overseas relatives.

Just a little over a year ago, Anna was living a full life, working and looking forward to retirement and a bicycling trip with her husband Peter in Europe.

Anna has now been living with breast cancer since December 2023. In Anna’s quiet, positive way she has endured repeated chemotherapy, as well as surgery, hair loss, blood tests, scans and unpleasant side effects. It was devastating to then learn the cancer has spread further.

Anna’s only chance now is a drug called Trastuzumab deruxtecan. Unfortunately this drug is not funded in New Zealand for people who are HER2 Low, which is what Anna is. This drug is the only option her cancer team can offer Anna to slow down the tumour growth, so she has more time to enjoy life, with whose who are special to her. Without this drug, Anna would only have a few months.

Anna can access the drug via St George’s private hospital. Every treatment cost about $14,000 and Anna needs up to seventeen of them. This cost covers the drug, which is given by infusion and the private hospital fees.

So far, Anna has used her savings to fund the treatment but now needs your help. Any amount will be greatly appreciated.