Krystel is fighting stage 4 melanoma and urgently raising funds for immunotherapy to help give her more time with her children.
Whangarei, Northland
At 43, I never imagined I would be fighting stage 4 metastatic melanoma.
Everything has changed quickly, and right now time matters. The melanoma has spread to my lung, liver, lymph nodes, breast and brain. Despite how big this feels, I am not ready for my story to end.
Alongside funded treatment, there is an additional unfunded immunotherapy treatment (ipilimumab) that offers a higher chance of survival and the best opportunity to keep fighting this disease. To access this treatment, we need to raise $63,000
I am a mum to three incredible teenagers, they are my reason for fighting so hard. I want more time with them, more family snowboarding trips, more adventures, more milestones, more laughs, more hugs, more ordinary moments that suddenly mean everything.
I’m not ready for my story to end. I still have so much life I want to live.
Anyone who knows me knows I love adventure, exploring our beautiful country, connecting with the world, and saying YES to life. Right now, I am trying to keep choosing joy, connection and presence with the people I love most.
Funds raised will help access this unfunded treatment and support the practical realities that come with cancer treatment, allowing me to focus on fighting for more time with my children, family and friends.
If you are able to donate, share, or support in any way, it would mean more than I can put into words. Every contribution helps give me a chance to keep fighting.
Because it’s never too late to live.
Unfunded Immunotherapy treatment, and support the practical realities that come with cancer treatment.
love Ariki <3 8 May 2026
Your mum is the only person who will ever love you completely and unconditionally through the hardest days, the happiest moments, and every in-between. My mum has always been that person for me. She has never once let me believe I am anything less than who I am, and even on the hardest days of her own life, she still somehow puts everyone else first.
My mum is the strongest person I know. She inspires me every single day, and I truly would not be who I am without her. She is my best friend, my safe place, and the heart of our family. There is something so deeply unfair about having to live more of your life without your mum than with her, and I honestly cannot imagine going through life without mine.
If I had the choice in every lifetime, I would choose her to be my mum every single time.
Right now, she is facing the hardest battle of her life, but she continues to fight with so much strength and courage. More than anything in this world, I just want more time with my mum. I need my mum.
Love Ariki
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