Darren's Treatment

25/03/15 Update on Darrens treatment and how his family is coping.

This is an update on Darrens treatment and how the family are doing. Darren decided to go with the treatment plan from Duke University in the US. They recommended a year of chemo of the drug Temozolomide which is not funded in New Zealand for grade 3 tumors. Darren started his treatment in November and is due to start his 6th round shortly. He has just had a MRI to check if the chemo has had the positive effect they are hoping for on the tumor. Darren did try to go back to work but found it too hard so sadly he has had to give up his joinery apprenticeship. He is still taking lots of supplements, eating organically and had several courses of IV vitamin C before the chemo started to get his body in the best possible state. The family have had lots of support with auctions and fundraisers for which they are so grateful but with a young family to look after, a mortgage and the fact Darren cannot work at all along with all the ongoing medical costs its been tough.

Any donations at all would be greatly appreciated by the family at this time. Darren is such a fighter, even in the middle of his chemo he managed to achieve a 3rd Dan in Taekwondo a true sign of the fighter he is. He is wants to beat this tumor and be around to see his boys grow up.

____________________________________________

Darren and Hilary Anderson, and their two young children Conn 6 and Finn 3, are a well-loved family living in Spreydon, Christchurch, NZ.

Darren has had a brain tumour for the past ten years. Hilary has spent hours researching in depth over the past 10 years to ensure Darren receives the most current and effective treatment. This has included eating organically, seeing a naturopath, taking supplements, visiting Duke University (A world renowned Brain Tumour centre) which led them to choose a highly effective and non-toxic chemotherapy (Temazolomide) that is not funded in NZ

Darren has recently had surgery to drain a cyst and remove part of the tumour. Sadly, the results have shown the tumour progressed to grade 3.

They now are faced with further treatment to keep the tumour at bay.

They will be consulting with Duke University again and will most likely choose to go through a 6 month course of Temozolomide. This alone will have a cost of approximately $15,000. To enhance Darren’s wellbeing during the treatment period he will be taking additional supplements, consulting with Doctors and Naturopaths, and buying solely Organic food. Darren and Hilary believe that choosing to combine conventional and alternative treatments this will give Darren the best chance of long-term survival.

This all adds up and with the fact that Darren is currently unable to work they really do need all the help they can get.

Darren is a loving father and husband, an incredible artist, an apprentice joiner, a keen mountain biker and holds a black belt in Taekwondo. He is a familiar face in his community. Any donations towards supporting the Andersons during this trying time are greatly appreciated.