Help Mike Access Life‑Saving CAR T-cell therapy

In late May 2025, our lives changed when my husband Mike, just 48, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma after what seemed like just a sore back. This incurable blood cancer is usually found in older people, making the news even more devastating. This was life altering news. Within weeks, Mike began chemotherapy, and in October he underwent a stem cell transplant. It was an incredibly tough time, with three weeks in hospital battling infections and complications, especially hard on our daughters, aged 19 and 15.

By January, things began to feel more normal again—Mike returned to work, our eldest daughter went back to university, and our youngest resumed school. But the relief was short-lived. Ongoing pain led to further scans in March, revealing a rare, aggressive form called non-secretory myeloma affecting his bones. Because it doesn’t show in blood tests, we had no idea he still had active disease.

Mike is now on the final treatment option available in New Zealand which our doctor doesn't think will work for long. Specialists have told us CAR T-cell therapy offers the best hope to extend his life. Unfortunately, this is not available here and the cost is far beyond our means. Treatment involves Mike & I being away for 7 weeks in Shanghai China.

We are determined to pursue it—for more time as a family, more milestones, and more memories—and are deeply grateful for any support to help make that possible.