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Help Nicola fund life extending drugs Ibrance & Fulvestrant

$17,739 of $80,000 goal
Given by 173 generous donors in around 8 months

To help fund Ibrance and Fluvestrant for Nicola, to help extend her life to be here for her daughters and family as long as possible.

Canterbury

Hi,

I am Nicola, I am 49 years old.

I live with my two wonderful young daughters, aged 8 and 10.

In 2012 I was diagnosed with Metastatic (advanced/terminal) Breast Cancer,

Since that time I have used a variety of drugs to control the cancer, unfortunately I am now nearing the end of drug options that are funded here in New Zealand.

As recommended by my oncologist I started today on the non-funded medications Ibrance and Fulvestrant.

Like most, the cost per month for these is out of reach for me at approx $7000.00 per month, including the drugs and administering of them.

As part of the Metavivors New Zealand group we have been campaigning hard to have Pharmac fund Ibrance, as it is in a large number of countries around the world due to it's results; despite this, to date although Metsafe approved, is not being funded in New Zealand.

Therefore as hard as it is to do, with my family's support I am reaching out to try to raise the money for my treatments.

My family, friends, neighbours, colleagues and community have been an incredible support to us in so many ways already and without them I couldn't have come this far and I am so grateful for this. I also feel so humbled to experience and learn from the kindness and genorisity of people; it has shown myself and my girls what a good and loving world we do live in. I want to be around for as long as possible for my family.

Thanks so much for reading,

Nicola

Use of funds

Any funds raised to be used for cancer drugs and if not required will be used for living expenses for my family.

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Latest update

Latest results  27 November 2019

Hi all,

Unfortunately my scan showed that Ibrance is no longer working for me. I will now try another chemo (which is funded) and I'll be closing this page. I start the new chemo tomorrow.

Thanks a million for all your incredible support that allowed me to use Ibrance, you have been so generous ❤️

Thanks also for your sort in lobbying Pharmac, Fulvestrant is now being funded (as in right now!). Great result there and Ibrance will be sometime next year.

Have a great Christmas season xx

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Latest donations

Ernest Frances John
Ernest Frances John on 01 Nov 2019
Private
Kay
Kay on 04 Oct 2019
Private
Guest Donor
Guest Donor on 25 Sep 2019
$200
Guest Donor
Guest Donor on 10 Sep 2019
Private
Ann
Ann on 10 Sep 2019
HI Nicola I have emailed Pharmac asking they expediate funding for Fluvestrant. I hope the funding siutation changes n the very near future Love Ann Sturgeon
$100

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Nicola  Smythe's avatar
Created by, and paying to a verified bank account of, Nicola Smythe
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This campaign started on 16 May 2019 and ended on 31 Dec 2019.