Help Me Access Life-Changing CAR-T Therapy for Myeloma

Hi, I’m Julie Walker. It feels uncomfortable to ask for help, but I’m reaching out for support as I face multiple myeloma—a rare and aggressive blood cancer.

I’ve always been active and healthy, and love giving to my family, friends, and community. But in July 2023, everything changed with my diagnosis. In just 20 months, I’ve had multiple treatments, including a stem cell transplant that should have given me 3–5 years of remission. It lasted only six months.

Now, I’ve exhausted all Pharmac-funded options in New Zealand.

My doctors believe that CAR-T cell therapy is the best next step. It’s a revolutionary treatment that reprograms my own immune cells to identify and destroy cancer cells. For many people with myeloma, CAR-T has delivered a long-term response and renewed hope. But CAR-T therapy is not available in New Zealand. The closest and most cost-effective option is in Shanghai, China. The catch? It comes with a price tag of around $420,000—far beyond what we can cover alone.

We’re also paying out-of-pocket now for Daratumumab, a critical drug to keep my cancer at bay. It's an unfunded drug in NZ, costing us $75,000 a year—despite being free in 48 other countries.

We’re aiming to raise $130,000 to help make CAR-T therapy possible. Your donation, no matter the amount, can bring us closer to this life-saving treatment and give me the chance at a future with my loved ones.

Please consider donating or sharing this page. Your kindness and generosity could truly change my life.