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Funds for Maggie to buy more time with her children

  • Happy new year

      13 January 2025
    Posted by: Jessica Ngatai

    Ngā mihi nui o te tau hou! Happy new year!

    A belated, but happy 2025 update: is that TD-XD, the drug Maggie is being treated with, is now publicly funded! Maggie had her first treatment last week back in the public health system!

    It’s been a real rollercoaster, as Pharmac’s original proposal to fund the drug, would have excluded Maggie from being eligible (because of another drug she’d been on previously).

    Thankfully, during their consultation Pharmac took on board feedback – from people like the Breast Cancer Foundation, clinical experts and affected people like Maggie – and removed this eligibility criteria. In December they announced their final decision to fund TD-XD – and Maggie is eligible!

    We are incredibly, deeply grateful for all your support, which has got us to this point, and enabled Maggie to access this treatment in the meantime. Not only the financial support, which was amazing, but just as important, your emotional support kept us all afloat. It is hard to describe how much your kindness and generosity means. E kore e mutu ngā mihi ki a koutou!

    Maggie spoke out throughout this experience about the need for better and fairer funding for breast cancer treatments. Eg, here: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/535981/cancer-patient-s-relief-after-restrictions-removed-for-incredible-new-drug

    Lots else has been happening. Will write another update soon, but wanted to share this great news. Lots of love and best wishes to you all for 2025 xx

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  • Appreciation for your generosity

      28 October 2024

    We want to express our thanks for all the contributions. It means so much to Maggie that you support her journey to a better quality of life. There's still a way to go, but there is some hope now, thanks to you. Maggie is looking forward to Christmas with the girls.

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  • Progress, hope and struggle

      15 October 2024
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    Maggie has been continuing with the treatments every three weeks, and is noticing some improvements in her mobility, so thank you for your contribution that enabled this.

    This is a massive fight for Maggie's health and longevity, and she needs people's support to be able to keep taking this miracle drug combination. The treatment so far has used up all the funds raised, so we still need help to keep it going.

    There was a moment of hope a few weeks ago with the government announcement of increased funding for cancer treatments, including the drug combo Maggie is on, but it seems the criteria is very narrow. Maggie is investigating if there's any way she might still be eligible - at this stage, unbelievably, it seems she is still not eligible for funding.

    Everyone has been amazing with their contributions, and we are asking if you could continue to offer some support, either by contributing or by sharing with your networks.

    Arohanui and with deepest gratitude.

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  • Good news! A promising scan 😊

      9 September 2024
    Posted by: Jessica Ngatai
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    We’re delighted to give an update on Maggie’s progress – that the treatment is showing promising results! 😊 Maggie is on her fifth round of the new drug treatment and a scan has confirmed some really positive news. The drug is meant to stop the growth of any cancer lesions or tumours, and even reduce them – and that’s exactly what’s happening. Several areas of cancer have reduced, there are no new lesions and things are looking stable – really, really brilliant news!

    After 3 months of pretty exhausting chemo treatments – 5 infusions, ongoing fatigue and side-effects, mountains of pills every day, and a cost so far of close to $60,000 – this wonderful news has given Maggie and all of us a huge lift. It is a great relief to know that all Maggie’s efforts, and everything she is putting herself through is paying off.

    The Givealittle funds have been vital to making this happen – thank you all!

    The benefits of the drug so far show why it’s so important Maggie continues with this treatment. Her mobility is still limited, but the changes on the inside are the start of bringing the cancer under control.

    Maggie’s daughter Roxanne celebrated her eighth birthday last week – let’s pray Maggie can be there for many more birthdays of her girls.

    We want to thank everyone with all our hearts for your generosity that has brought Maggie and her family this hope. We want to keep going with this treatment, so any donations or shares of the fundraising page are hugely appreciated.

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  • Ngā mihi o Matariki

      26 June 2024
    Posted by: Jessica Ngatai

    Maggie has begun the TD-XD treatment! Her first chemotherapy infusion went smoothly and her second session begins next week. She is doing well, although fatigue has hit hard.

    Funding for cancer treatment has been in the news a lot, although so far it doesn’t look like TD-XD is included. The media have reached out to Maggie again, and she spoke this week in support of the Breast Cancer Foundation’s call for funding of critical breast cancer treatments, which are so needed.

    See:

    https://fb.watch/sWjikDL16s/?

    and:

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/breast-cancer-patient-paying-175k-for-treatment-hopeful-that-new-pharmac-boost-will-cover-her-medicine/YLHWLXRAHVEMTMGAPSH6UA3NQU/

    The announcement of a major funding boost to Pharmac is truly wonderful news for many cancer sufferers. We are thrilled for all the people who will benefit. 💜Apparently the funding increase will cover 26 cancer treatments, including some for breast cancer. However, the need for more treatment options is clear so we hope TD-XD may be added to the list of funded treatments soon. 🤞🤞

    In the meantime Maggie needs to continue her treatment with TD-XD, and for now this still means having to pay for the drug and for private treatment. So we give sincere and humble thanks to all of you – your contributions enable this treatment to happen. Every message, prayer and koha means a lot and is truly appreciated. ❤️ At this time of Matariki, hold your family close x

    Ngā mihi o Matariki. Love and blessings to you all x

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  • Some good news ✨✨✨

      19 June 2024
    Posted by: Jessica Ngatai

    Kia ora tātou,

    We have two great pieces of news since our last update:

    The first is that newshub featured Maggie in a story about the importance of funding cancer treatments such as TD-XD. You can see the story here: https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2024/06/auckland-mum-with-advanced-breast-cancer-fights-for-new-wonder-drug.html

    Maggie wanted to do this story so that all the other women in her position will have their need publicised, and to stress that access to world-class treatment should be equitably available to all, not just those who can afford it. (In this news story, Maggie looks different to how you may remember her – which is due to the steroids she's on.)

    The second great piece of news is that Maggie started her first treatment on TD-XD last week! It was a very long day, but all went smoothly.

    It's such exciting news, and you all have helped make this possible. It's the best chance Maggie has, so thank you and aroha nui from the bottom of our hearts.

    Ngā mihi nui o te wā o Matariki xx

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  • Thank you

      19 May 2024
    Posted by: Jessica Ngatai
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    E mihi kau ana ki a koutou katoa! He mihi nui, he mihi aroha, he mihi mutunga kore.

    To all Maggie’s friends, whānau and supporters, our sincere and humble thanks for your response since this page went live.

    Maggie – and all the whānau – have been overwhelmed by your awhi, love and generosity.

    You are amazing and we truly appreciate all the messages of love and encouragement, and the generous support that people have given.

    For Maggie, the last few weeks have been the usual busy schedule of appointments, visitors, treatments, physio, chemo cycles, doctor visits … etc, as well a busy back to school for the girls. Mother’s Day was a highlight (including some beautiful artwork and treats).

    Maggie is due to start the new treatment (Td-xd) as soon as possible (hopefully in the next couple of weeks). Your kindness and generosity is helping to make this possible and is so appreciated.

    Aroha nui xxx

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