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Fleur Gray's Fight For Life

$68,612 donated

Given by 262 generous donors in around 10 months

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PLEASE help Fleur pay for life prolonging cancer treatment to ensure her family have her around for more years to come!

Auckland

In 2018 Fleur received the crushing diagnosis of having Stage 3 Rectal Cancer which was heartbreaking news. She underwent 25 brutal rounds of pelvic radiation and chemotherapy, followed by surgery to remove the cancer growth, and then another round of ‘clean-up chemo’ to eliminate any extra circulating tumour cells.

By the end of 2019 it looked promising that Fleur was on track to beat cancer. Unfortunately, a couple of months later she received the devastating news that the cancer had metastasized and was now Stage 4. Fleur was given the shocking terminal diagnosis of less than a year to live unless she committed to pay for the non-funded immunotherapy cancer treatment ‘Cetuximab’ at a cost of $70,000 annually. Without hesitation Fleur cashed in her Kiwisaver, Life Insurance and savings and has now privately paid over $200k.

However Fleur’s health has recently taken another turn and the disease has now advanced into her lungs. The oncology team have advised she must now immediately start ANOTHER non-funded immunotherapy cancer drug called Bevacizumab at another huge cost of $75,000 per cycle which they are confident she will respond to.

We now need your help to fund this next cycle of treatment as the family has been left exhausted both financially and psychologically. Fleur has given so much to her community, friends and family, and still has a huge amount of fight left in her, and it’s imperative that she has access to this treatment.

Your support is greatly appreciated.

Cherie Solly's involvement (page creator)

Close family friend.

Use of funds

Unfunded cancer treatment – Bevacizumab/Avastin (Treatment Costs $75k annually)

Also meals are being prepared by a family friend on fortnightly treatment cycles and some of the funds will go towards paying for these also.

Latest update

New Treatment Cycle Underway 27 February 2023

Hi everyone,

Our hearts go out to all those who have recently been affected by the devastating weather events that have hit the North Island. Huia (where Fleur and her family live) received its fair share of destructive weather but has pulled through ok.

Now I’m a wee bit overdue on sending through an update on how Fleur is getting on - so here we go….

In mid January, Fleur completed the 13th & final round of her unfunded treatment cycle. Fleur & Stefan would like to thank each of you from the bottom of their hearts as a large portion (just under $63k) of the $75k treatment cost was only made possible through everyone’s overwhelming give-a-little generosity.

Throughout Fleur's last cycle there were a lot of ups & downs, and the treatment certainly packed a punch on Fleur’s body (which she handled in her stride like the incredible and determined woman she is). Upon completion of this cycle in January, Fleur was looking forward to a nice long break from treatment before needing to embark on next treatment steps - however a long break unfortunately was not on the cards, as Fleur’s symptoms kicked back into gear at an alarming rate not long after completing her final chemo session. These painful symptoms comprised of fluid on her lungs, along with painful urinary and bowel issues which resulted in several trips to the hospital. Thankfully, Fleur’s urinary issues have been relieved through the use of a catheter which she is hoping will be removed in the next few weeks.

A couple of weeks ago, Fleur’s Oncologist recommended that she start immediately on a brand new 13 round treatment cycle using Avastin & Folfox (a different chemo ‘backbone’ but the same immunotherapy) which will target and alleviate Fleur’s symptoms along with the goal of keeping this awful disease at bay for as long as possible. Fleur’s treatment is non curative, but it will without a doubt give Fleur more valuable time with her family just as previous treatment cycles have. Fleur has reached the cost cap of the immunotherapy which means this part of the treatment is now no charge, however to administer this new regime will cost $52,000. Fleur totally understands that people have donation fatigue and there are so many other important things to donate too at this time but if you are able to help in anyway to contribute to pay for this new round of treatment which Fleur has now started - your donation would be greatly appreciated.

Much love to you all xxx

(If anyone would like to ask any questions you can contact Fleur via email stompin2006@gmail.com or private message her)

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