The fight starts now! Help Mat defeat Melanoma

$61,615 of $75,000 goal
Given by 325 generous donors in one year

Mat has Stage 3 melanoma and needs our help to cover the cost of the much needed immunotherapy treatment to fight his cancer.

Tauranga, Bay Of Plenty

We hate melanoma. It has already taken our amazing mum away from us, and now it's coming for Mat. But we won't let it win!!

Mat and his amazing wife Ana recently moved to Tauranga to bring up their 2 young kids closer to Ana's wonderfully supportive family. Mat has always had skin cancers popping up and has done amazing to keep on top of it, but soon after moving, Mat's new doctor discovered the dreaded melanoma and soon found that it had already spread to his lymph nodes. This cancer is extremely aggressive and sadly runs in our family. Many surgeries later to remove the melanoma, affected lymph nodes, and finding more melanoma in his neck, the doctors have recommended immunotherapy using the drug Keytruda to prevent the spread of any more cancers. Unfortunately this drug is not funded here - and this is where we need your help!

Any amount you can contribute would be absolutely amazing and will go a long way to helping Mat and his family in this fight. Because my big brother is a fighter! And we can't imagine a world without his love, hugs, epic dance moves and loaded movie database....

Thank you all for your support, it means so much to us x

Danielle Reilly's involvement (page creator)

Mat is my amazing big brother.

Use of funds

The Keytruda drug for Mat's immunotherapy treatment and any related expenses.

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Latest update

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Long Overdue Update   8 August 2023

Posted by: Mathew Whelan

Hello all.

Sorry it's been a while since my last update. Life has been pretty hectic with kids, moving to our new house and the usual work.

Treatment has been continuing every 3 weeks and I just finished #15 today. My tests/scans have all been coming back clear. Or as my oncologist likes to say "Boring". Which is awesome!

My nausea has settled down over the last couple of treatments which has been great too. Means I can function a little more after.

This winter has been a little hard with family sickness and myself needing to take extra days off work to rest so your support has enabled me to do this without the stress of no sick leave. So a massive Thank You to all who have supported me.

Only 2 more treatments to go until the end of my 1 year cycle so here is hoping my scans continue to be "Boring" 😁

My love to all. Thank you again for your continued support XXX

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Latest donations

Tara-Lee
Tara-Lee on 20 Aug 2023
Sorry to hear of the struggles Mat and Ana. Sending you all so much love and strength!
$50
Ricki
Ricki on 06 Jul 2023
All the best mate!
$5
Claudine
Claudine on 02 Apr 2023
Dear Ana and Matt, I send you strength and healing in this difficult time. So sorry to read about this situation and hope all will be better again soon.
Private
Karen
Karen on 03 Feb 2023
$100
Vanessa Cruickshank
Vanessa Cruickshank on 31 Jan 2023
You keep up that fight Matt. I'm battling stage IV many many tumors but Immunotherapy has really came so far in a decade to help us. Stay positive. On the days you feel great wrap your arms around that beautiful family and just be. Kind Regards Vanessa Cruickshank
$200

Who's involved?

Danielle Reilly's avatar
Created by Danielle Reilly
Mathew Whelan's avatar
Paying to a verified bank account of Mathew Whelan
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This campaign started on 8 Sep 2022 and ended on 8 Sep 2023.