Ella's Fight Against Cancer: Join Us in Raising Funds for Immunotherapy Treatment
I am fundraising to treat my sister's breast cancer through immunotherapy. No matter how small, every donation will make a difference.
Auckland
Just before moving overseas my sister was diagnosed with breast cancer, at the age of 28. She's postponed her travel indefinitely and has a long 12 months ahead with fertility preservation, chemo, genetic testing, radiotherapy and an eventual surgery.
Ella’s breast cancer is triple-negative, a particularly aggressive and rapidly growing cancer. It has fewer treatment options and greater chance of developing into an advanced stage cancer and has higher relapse rates.
Ella's Oncologist recommends that she undergoes immunotherapy to improve her chances of achieving pathological complete remission - meaning increased chances that all signs of cancer are eradicated and prevented from returning completely.
Immunotherapy involves a drug called KEYTRUDA that works with your immune system to detect and destroy cancer cells. This is not funded in NZ despite being proven effective as a treatment for triple-negative breast cancers overseas.
The road ahead will be tough but I'm determined to support my sister every step of the way. Her world changed so quickly when she was diagnosed and it's been heart-breaking to see her go through this. I'm doing everything I can to help her stay positive and hopeful.
Immunotherapy is expensive ($60,000+) so to help support her I’m asking for donations towards her treatment. Cancer is a terrible disease but with your support she will recover her health and resume living a full and active life. No matter how small, every donation will make a difference.
Gem
Gemma Scown's involvement (page creator)
Ella is my older sister
Use of funds
All funds raised will go towards the bills associated with the immunotherapy drug KEYTRUDA Ella will be receiving. Any and all donations are welcomed with open arms.
Latest update
That's a wrap 28 February 2024
I have now finished all of my treatment and I am getting back into the new normal. 2024 is going to be the year of good health and travel!! Mum, Dad, Gemma, Tim, Lewis and I have a trip to Thailand booked on 17 May and to say we are excited would be an understatement… Lewis and I are then continuing with some travel before setting up in London in August. We plan to stay a few years while I get to know his family before coming back to NZ and settling down.
One unfortunate update, that I wish I didn’t have to give, is that I have now been diagnosed with immunotherapy induced Addison's disease. We knew there was a small risk (less than 1%) but we thought the statistics might have been a bit kinder considering I was also told the chances of having been diagnosed with breast cancer at my age was under 2.6%. I am still in the diagnosis stage but I will likely be on 3x daily medication for the rest of my life. I am finding that it is quite manageable. I don’t have any regrets and I wouldn’t change my decision if I had my time again - what is most important is that I can say I am cancer-free.
From me and the rest of the family - thank you to everyone who donated, messaged or sent us positive vibes, thoughts and prayers. It means the absolute world that our family and friends have been amazingly supportive over what was a very bad year (to say the least). Onwards and upwards, we are very excited for 2024!!
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