Help Our Little Luella Fight Cancer

$65,240 donated

Given by 691 generous donors in 8 weeks

Supporting 10-month-old Luella Akroyd and her whānau as she battles high risk neuroblastoma cancer and faces two years of treatment.

Auckland

+4 images

On August 14th, Luella Akroyd was unexpectedly diagnosed with neuroblastoma cancer after a large cancerous tumour was found in her abdomen. This news has devastated her parents, Asher and Keighley, her big sister Mila, and their family dog, Nylah. Our sweet Luella, only 10 months old, is already having to fight for her life.

Luella’s cancer is considered high risk as it has spread beyond the original tumour, with metastatic lesions affecting her liver, lungs and femur bone. The tumour measures 9cm x 9cm and is putting pressure on her major organs. She has already undergone several tests, scans and medical procedures to help stabilise her health as a result of the tumour and cancer. Luella began chemotherapy just four days after her diagnosis.

Doctors at Starship Hospital have prescribed an aggressive treatment plan that, at this stage, will span two years, giving Luella the best possible chance of a full cure. This includes an initial 15 weeks of chemotherapy, surgical removal of the tumour, targeted radiation therapy, bone marrow and stem cell transplant, further chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Ongoing scans will monitor how Luella responds to treatment.

All of Luella’s treatment will take place at Starship Hospital, where she will need to be admitted for weeks at a time, with short periods at home for much needed rest and recovery between each phase of treatment.

Kia kaha, Kia maia, Kia manawanui, Luella. ❤️

Roman Akroyd's involvement (page creator)

I am Luella’s Uncle and the brother of her Dad, Asher. I have set up this page to support Luella and her whānau through this journey.

Use of funds

This page supports Luella and her whānau, easing financial pressure from living, travel, kai, bills and other expenses that come with Luella’s treatment, so they can focus on what matters most, being there for Luella throughout her treatment and recovery.

Other page links

Update Two - Luella Turns One 🎈 15 October 2026

Posted by: Asher Akroyd

Kia Ora Whānau and Friends,

It’s hard to believe our little Luella has already celebrated her first birthday! We celebrated this special milestone at home on Saturday. It was lovely to spend this precious time together as a family.

Luella has now completed her second cycle of high-risk chemotherapy and has also undergone her stem cell harvest. This was a long and challenging day for Luella and our family, but we are incredibly grateful that it resulted in a successful collection. One more big milestone ticked off!

At the moment, Luella is enjoying some much-needed time at home to rest, recover and spend time with her family.

Next week, Luella will begin her third round of high-risk chemotherapy. This cycle involves different medications, which come with their own potential adverse side effects. We are keeping everything crossed that she tolerates this round well and that treatment runs smoothly.

Throughout everything, Luella continues to amaze us with her bravery, strength, cheekiness and patience. She is becoming more mobile by the day and is starting to enjoy all the little adventures that come with being one!

Thank you to everyone who continues to check in, visit, send messages, donate, drop off meals and support our family in so many different ways. Your kindness means more to us than words can express, and we are so grateful to have such an incredible community behind us as we continue to navigate this long journey with Lu.

All our love.

Asher & Keighley

Share this update

Read 2 more updates