Help Chris Battle Cancer
Chris has an aggressive form of melanoma cancer and requires the lifesaving drug Keytruda for a minimum of 1 year which is not funded.
Morrinsville, Waikato
My close friend Chris was diagnosed with Stage 3C melanoma cancer in Dec 2023 after her hairdresser noticed a change in a mole on her ear which couldn't be seen or felt by Chris. Within 24hrs of seeing a Specialist, Chris had surgery to remove the top part of her ear, followed by a 2nd operation 3 weeks later resulting in the total loss of her ear.
The tumour has now returned in the same place. There is no more surgery or talk of radiotherapy for now. Keytruda is the only anti-cancer drug recommended and requires infusions every 3 weeks for 17 cycles (1 year). It is not funded in NZ and the drug alone costs $77,000 for the year plus $25k for administering this drug, use of the oncology, equipment and nurses time.
Chris and her husband Brett are facing a tremendously tough time ahead financially. When I approached them about the Give a Little Page they were very reluctant to go down this path until reality sunk in.
Chris is a very generous person of her time, having served the Morrinsville community incl Meals on Wheels.
She has been a motivator for me and together we've done a half marathon, and other various fun runs. While undergoing Keytruda she still pushes herself to stay fit and healthy attending pilates, gym classes and going on bush walks with Brett even when she is feeling tired.
To alleviate the financial burden for Chris and her family, I am hoping to fully fund her Keytruda through this page.
A big thank you in advance for your kindness and support.
Jo Robb's involvement (page creator)
I first met Chris 18 years when we worked together. We became great friends and competed in many walks & runs and enjoyed many social outings together.
She is very generous with her time and always makes you feel very welcome in her home.
Use of funds
Funds will be used solely to pay for the Keytruda Drug. Totalling $77,000 for the next 12 months.
Latest update
An update from Chris 7 May 2024
Hi all, Chris came out of hospital yesterday. Just three days after her three-monthly Pet scan Chris was booked in for more surgery to remove additional melanoma from around her ear and inside her ear canal. A skin graft was needed from her neck, skin grafts can be more painful than the surgery. Unfortunately, there are no guarantees this time that the melanoma won't come back.
The surgeon has told Chris that when this heals, she will require 4-6 weeks of radiotherapy and then back onto the Keytruda treatments for another 9 months.
We all would like to thank everyone who has either given donations, offers of help and very importantly, emotional support which is much appreciated. A number of people we don’t even know have given donations and also sent heart felt wishes, this has been extremely overwhelming, and the family just can’t thank everyone enough.
Chris is such a fighter and for the first time has had to stop work this week but hopes to be back next week.
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