For my son Kobie

Hi my name is Roy and I am asking for help so my son Kobie who is 10 years old does not lose his Dad while he is still young. I believe we both should have many years of life to make great memories. Kobie is my rock and I would do anything to make him happy. Four and a half years ago I was diagnosed with Squamous cell Carcinoma stage 4. This is a skin cancer that has got into my lungs. I have been receiving chemo on and off for the last 4 years. But it won't cure me. My only hope of a cure is to have a drug called Keytruda which cost approximately $10,000 dollars a time and I require it 10 times which means I need a total of $100,000. Unfortunately, it is not funded for my type of cancer. I have written to Head of the DHB, the Health Minister and the Prime Minister to try to get it funded but all refused. So I now have to do something I really did not want to and ask people to help me and my family.

Update 2023: Unfortunately we have now had another family tragedy in January 2023 with Kobie losing his beloved Poppa in a car accident, and his nana being critically injured, which means he really should not lose his Dad as well. A few weeks after the accident, I was diagnosed with two brain tumours, which means the chemo is no longer working as the cancer has now spread to my brain. It is also in my trachea, and perilously close to my spinal cord in my neck, with nerves wrapping around my spine . If it spreads into my spinal cord I will be paralysed.

I am 60 years old and live with my wonderful wife Debbie and my absolute gem of a little man Kobie. Due to the illness, and ongoing treatment, I am unable to work. I do use my free time to help out where ever I can like my Katikati Bowling club, reading to children at Katikati Primary School, helping out POTS group and Katikati Soccer Club. When I am cured I look forward to be able to go back to work.