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Help Our Little Luella Fight Cancer

  • Update Two - Luella Turns One 🎈

      15 October 2026
    Posted by: Asher Akroyd
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    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

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  • Update One - Part 2

      14 September 2026
    Posted by: Asher Akroyd
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    We are incredibly grateful for every bit of support we have received. There is no wrong way to help — whether it’s sharing our page, sending a message, dropping off a meal or simply checking in, every gesture means so much to our family. We read every single message and comment, and it means more than you know. If you would like to help in any way, please just reach out with your ideas.

    Here’s how you can help:

    - Share this page — one of the most impactful ways you can support us.

    - Subscribe to the page — this is where we will share updates.

    - Donate — every contribution helps ease the unexpected financial pressure.

    - Fundraising ideas or business connections — always gratefully received.

    - Food and petrol vouchers — incredibly helpful while travelling to and staying at Starship.

    Thank you for standing beside our family and continuing to support Luella.

    All our love,

    Asher & Keighley

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  • Update One - Part 1

      14 September 2026
    Posted by: Asher Akroyd
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    Kia ora family and friends,

    Today marks exactly one month since Luella was diagnosed with cancer.

    We carry the weight that no parents should ever have to carry. Our whole lives have been flipped upside down, and we still haven’t come to terms with the fact that this is our reality. Sadness, fear, denial and overwhelming emotions are feelings we experience every day. Right now, our focus is on Luella, being by her side, getting her through each treatment and giving her all the love and strength we possibly can.

    Luella has just completed a 5-day course of high-risk chemotherapy at Starship, which she will receive every three weeks. This is one cycle. Although she did start a 3-day course of chemotherapy just four days after her diagnosis, this treatment was deemed not strong enough after the gene biopsy results showed the cancer was more advanced. We are now at home recovering and preparing for a stem cell harvest next week. Once recovered, Luella will begin her second of five chemotherapy cycles in this first phase of treatment.

    We are constantly in awe of Luella’s resilience and strength. Her bravery inspires us and gives us the strength to face each day.

    We are incredibly grateful for every message, call, donation, meal, voucher and act of kindness. Knowing we have such an incredible network behind us has helped carry us through some incredibly difficult days. Thank you for your love and support; we are going to continue to need it.

    All our love,

    Asher & Keighley

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