Healing Ashyr
Funds raised will go towards supporting Ashyrs treatment now and in the future.
Āwhitu, Auckland
On the 20th of November Katie and Leigh were given the news of any parents worst nightmare, their fun loving bubbly 9 year old boy Ashyr has a brain tumour.
Ashyr was promptly operated on to remove the tumour and upon further investigation, it has been discovered the tumour is aggressive and fast acting.
The specialists have recommended proton therapy as the best option to avoid long term brain damage and medical issues from radiotherapy on a child's brain.
Proton therapy is an advanced medical treatment that gives him the best possible outcome. Unfortunately the treatment is only done in the USA or UK. It is expensive and he needs to be seen immediately.
In the event that treatment in New Zealand proves to be the best option, the money will be used to fund treatments and supportive therapies here.
Please consider donating to a much loved family and friend of so many. A family who is continually helping others and highly valued members of community.
Terri Smith's involvement (page creator)
Close friends.
Use of funds
Treatment to support Ashyrs road to recovery. The page will be updated once we know the best course of treatment.
Latest update
Laser beams update 16 January 2025
We arrived safely in Florida and Ashy has started Proton Therapy (laser beams). We are 6 treatments down and 24 to go. He has been amazing at tolerating the treatment, avoiding needing a GA each day which is amazing. He has been inspiring facing fears and focusing on ways to have fun each day. "I think the purpose of life is to have fun" - one of his actual pearls 🥰.
There are other kids here from Aussie with very similar stories regarding difficult access to funding (i.e. due to slow processes and red tape not due to need), requiring them to have to self-fund/community fund this treatment aswell. They point out that the budget is there and accounted for and that this all should technically be funded by our collective taxes. They are being vocal about this issue and we will rally behind them too, as we believe every kid with brain cancer deserves access to this treatment. Not just those who can front up the cost or that have the support we have had from friends and family to help. We will also be petitioning for a proton machine to be built in Australia in collaboration with New Zealand to offer a streamlined service for Kiwi's and Pacific Islanders. It is false economy to not have this option considering the long term effects of our current treatment options.
As hard as this road has and will be, we hope Ashyr's suffering will not be for nothing and that some good can come from this journey for other kids.
Aroha nui to you all. We feel your love and support each day. 💚
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