Help our beloved Sam fight cancer

Recently my brother Sam (43) was diagnosed with Stage 4 stomach cancer. The prognosis is poor (life expectancy 1-5 years).

This news has come as a shock to us all and is completely devastating for his partner Sophie and four boys aged 2, 7, 13 and 16.

Sam now faces a tough journey of palliative treatment to ease his symptoms, which include severe pain. Treatment involves radiotherapy, chemotherapy & immunotherapy.

Sam is well-loved by many, having spent his working life giving back to the community. He has worked as a disability advocate, co-established a community arts festival (Whau the People), & as a teacher at Blockhouse Bay Intermediate, ran a conservation programme in conjunction with Ecomatters.

Recently, Sam has been working at Auckland City Mission’s HomeGround as the Community Development Lead. Here's a recent article about a programme he ran, including an interview:

https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-drink/133473010/learning-how-to-cook-with-what-youve-got-from-food-parcels--to-christmas

Although prognosis is not great, we hope Sam will be well enough to continue his dream job, and - more importantly - be a dad to his four boys.

Donations will cover medical expenses not publicly funded - the bulk will go to immunotherapy ($65K for initial 6-month course). There are many uncertainties in this journey, so if there is a surplus, this will be used to support living-related expenses.

Any donation you can give—no matter how small—will be gratefully received.

Thank you.