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Help Gemma with her bucket list as treatment fails!

$11,980 of $10,000 goal
Given by 302 generous donors in over a year

We were told today Gemma could have less than 1 year to live.

Auckland

After having hope that a new $20,000 immunotherapy treatment would work we were told early June that Gemma could have months to live as she is not responding to the new expensive treatment. There are new melanomas in her brain, neck and lungs, others in the stomach have grown and others just aren't responding. Please help us so she can tick off as much of her bucket list as she can.

Gemma and I have been together for almost 3 years. She's the love and light of my world. She's 28. In October 2019 Gemma was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic melanoma. The pet scan showed it had spread all around her body including into the lungs and brain. Earlier before the diagnosis I proposed and we planned to get married. With the help of family in December 2019 we planned a wedding in 2 weeks so Gemma could have a memorable day with close family while she was still feeling well. Then, we had a second wedding in February 2020 with wider extended family and friends. Both were beautiful days and memorable experiences for everyone. Gemma has to go into Auckland Oncology twice every 3 weeks, to be assessed and then have a round of immunotherapy (Keytruda). She currently has had 23 rounds of Keytruda, with a 2 year plan in place.

We found out a couple of weeks ago that the Keytruda on it's own was no longer working and the melanoma was growing in her body. The doctors said our only option was a drug called ipilimumab which costs $12,000 per treatment. Gemma has had her first round of this but it has made her tired and unwell. We are hoping to (when she is up for it) to complete her bucket list and make some lifelong memories.

We are raising money to create memorable experiences for Gemma and her family. Gemma has a bucket list and we want to complete as much of this as possible.

The bucket list includes:

-Horse Riding✔

-Going to the South Island including Queenstown✔

-Going 'Glamping'✔

-Going camping at Goat Island

-Going to the snow✔

-Going to Cape Reinga- the top of the North Island

-Swim with dolphins

-Go on a memorable holiday with her family

-Go on a ferris wheel

There is another page for Gemma here: https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/can-you-help-gemma-fight-for-life

Brandon Malins' involvement (page creator)

This is for my wife who has stage 4 metastatic melanoma.

Use of funds

The funds will be spent on completing as much of Gemma's bucket list as we can.

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Latest update

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Thank you  11 June 2021

Posted by: Gemma Malins

Thank you to everyone who has donated. We are cherishing every moment and hoping for a miracle. Thank you to everyone who has donated big or small (every bit counts) towards Gemma's bucket list. We are excited to make some more of Gemma's dreams come true and to make lifelong memories with her and her family. God Bless xx

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Latest donations

Q plumbing services
Q plumbing services on 15 Jun 2021
Hoping every dollar helps you with your medication Gemma
$100
Guest Donor
Guest Donor on 14 Jun 2021
$50
April
April on 13 Jun 2021
$20
Guest Donor
Guest Donor on 12 Jun 2021
$30
Sharyn
Sharyn on 12 Jun 2021
Praying for you Jenma
$20

Who's involved?

Brandon Malins's avatar
Created by Brandon Malins
Gemma Malins's avatar
Paying to a verified bank account of Gemma Malins
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This campaign started on 14 Jul 2020 and ended on 5 Oct 2021.