Cure Chloe's Cancer!

Kia ora,

I am a researcher at the University of Otago (https://www.otago.ac.nz/anthropology/staff/otago636914.html). I have been studying medical crowdfunding. I have mostly been exploring this topic through interviews and case studies, but as I have an interest in creative writing and visual art, I also use this as a way to explore the topic.

I am writing to ask permission to use a photo from this campaign, in a stained glass art project I am worked on. If you gave permission, I would paint a black & white version onto a piece of glass the size of a smartphone. This would be displayed alongside aprox 12 other images on same size piece of glass. Accompanying this would be some quotes from participants in my survey, and a general explanation about the topic of medical crowdfunding.

The goal of the exhibit is to get people to think about empathy, care and charity… how they respond (or not) to people telling their stories and asking for help online

At this stage I plan to show the stained glass images as part of a presentation at an academic conference in Seattle, and another in Wellington, in November. I may also show it at other academic conferences, and/or a small exhibition as part of Dunedin’s Fringe Festival in 2023. The images will potentially also be published as part of academic articles or essays.

If you do decide to give permission, you could chose either for the image to be presented anonymously, or to have your name (and/or the name of the people in the photo) included, in which case I will put it in the acknowledgements whenever I show the art piece.

As a thank you, I would send you a small gift voucher.

Additionally, if you might like to tell me a little bit about the photo (where/why it was taken, and why you chose this particular picture for the campaign) I would love to talk to you over phone or Zoom. This might take between 15 mins and half an hour, and could be scheduled at a time of your choosing. But you are welcome to indicate permission for me to use the photo, but say you DON'T want to do the short interview …there's no pressure to do both.

Thanks so much for your time and consideration. You can contact me via this email address: susan.wardell@otago.ac.nz

Wishing you well

Susan

Hello there, although not a close friend (I’m old enough to be her mum), I have known Chloe for many years. I’m not on social media etc and only heard about this awful news very recently. I didn’t want to believe it. I would like to send a big hug and kiss to Chloe with all my love. I also would like to add to the generous amount paid by those who are as devastated to hear the news as I am. I now realise that the fund is closed but if there is a way for me to do this please let me know? I’m sure Chloe has been offered so much advice from caring friends; I lost a dear friend to bowel cancer last year so I rang my mum in Spain last night, she’s 81 and has just beaten breast cancer. I asked her for any ideas and she simply said “I have stayed positive the whole way through and never thought for one moment that I wouldn’t beat it”. That’s all I have to offer to dear Chloe. Please kindly get in touch via email if it’s feasible for me to add a donation. Warmest wishes to you all and may Chloe feel the warmth of all the love that is being wrapped around her. xxx

I posted the give a little page and received this message back from my brother.

Yep I read that on Facey, sad.

But Jodi, Kirsti’s brother had stage 4 cancer too that spread to his liver too.

He had many major surgeries, had I think 3/4? Liver removed and others.

But as tough as all that was, he has beaten his cancer now ..... alive and coping.

🙏

Hiya, i saw this through my newsfeed and im so sorry for the diagnosis Chloe and the family have received, and straight after welcoming a new baby to the world too, so very sad :(. I thought to share some information. My sisters best friend whom i also know personally was diagnosed with Cancer- Stage 4 lymphoma i think about 1 year and a half ago or more, her Husband also had to stop work to help care for her and their 2 children. I believe with it being Lymphoma if i remember correctly she was advised by doctors that 80% of people with Stage 4 Lymphoma over come it with the 1st round of Chemotherapy however this one not the case for my sisters friend and after the 2nd round of chemo and still no change and feeling so unwell and not being able to care for her two little ones they looked into alternative therapy. The therapy she started was and she still is currently doing i beleive is called the "Gerson Diet". Iv copied and pasted the link if the family would like to look into it.

"Gerson Therapy: Diet, Food Lists, Dangers, and More" https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/gerson-therapy

While doctors didnt support her doing this and wouldn't provide on going scans because it was against their specialist advice, my sisters friend went onto try anyway because after 2 rounds of chemo not working and the cancer wasn't shrinking and had spread i beleive , so they wanted too. To my knowledge she has been on the Gerson diet for over a year now and is thriving, her hair grew back, shes happy and healthy & feels good and beleives she wouldn't be here today is she hadn't of looked into it. I thought to share in case it may help out in some way. I Wish Chloe all the best and i hope you beat this cancer. Stay strong.

Best wishes Jess.

Hi there, I just saw this posted on facebook. I am very sorry to read your story. My Mum was diagnosed with stage 4 brain cancer 6 weeks ago and is currently doing treatment. Any way I did a lot of research for alternative treatment options etc and found quite a lot off promising info that the keto diet may be helpful. There isn't to much evidence to back this up but there is alot of ongoing research around the world. Just thought i would share that incase you havn't looked in it.

We have been following a strict diet, recording everything and monitoring bloods twice daily and she has had zero side affects from treatment and feeling great. Obviously we will never know if it is something that helps but it feels good to know that we are trying everything we can.

If want any more info let me know. Good luck on your journey, My thoughts are with you!