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Help our mum get life changing medication

  • Cancer Update

      6 March 2026

    This week marks an incredible step in my journey with stage 4 bowel cancer and I want to share it with everyone as every thought, prayer and donation has got me here.

    I have had a year of chemotherapy before it plateaued and I had to look to unfunded drugs - encorafenib and cetuximab alongside chemo for any chance to keep trying to kick the cancer.

    I had previously been denied surgery due to extensive disease.

    6months later. These have been my miracle drugs, we were able to sign on thanks to everyone who donated and where I didn’t think I would see last Christmas, this Tuesday I fly to Auckland for major surgery. The drugs have worked so well that some areas are now cancer free and other tumours have reduced 40-60% - beyond incredible.

    I went to Auckland last week for a small operation and to meet with the specialists, still waiting to see if this surgery was possible- they needed to see what was inside as to whether surgery would be possible- and I passed!!

    Thursday is the day - cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC (heated chemo) a 6-14hr surgery.

    They will remove a few organs as well as stripping the stomach lining and the healing journey will be intense with 2 weeks recovery before coming home.

    This surgery is going to keep me around longer and I am beyond blessed.

    Thank you, thank you, thank you, we appreciate your support more than anything.

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  • New update: Massive thank you!

      30 October 2025
    Posted by: natasha gerbich
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    These new drugs have been mind blowing for me!

    My oncologists at both private and public are amazed with how well I have responded.

    I recently had a PET scan (1st since diagnosis) and where I had plateaued prior to starting cetuximab & encorafenib (unfunded), I have had ovarian cancers shrink 40-50%, areas completely diminished in the peritoneum and a couple of other nodules are now stable.

    The best news is yet to come…

    I had been denied cytoreductive surgery back in April due to the extensive disease found at the time & now 6 months later the Auckland specialist team have reviewed my case again & due to this incredible response they have agreed to the surgery after another 6months of chemo to cull as much as we can prior to surgery.

    We will continue to fund these drugs for as long as possible & continue to push for future generations as thanks to every contribution, we have not only been able to access these drugs myself but we are now able to seriously see more valuable time ahead and there is nothing more precious than that.

    All our love and thanks, Tash, Greg and kids x

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  • Round 4 on folfiri, cetuximab & encorafenib

      27 July 2025
    Posted by: natasha gerbich
    Main image

    I have just completed round 4 with the introduction of the new chemo drugs and round 20 of folfiri chemotherapy and have had some exciting news.

    The oncologist informed me on Thursday at treatment that my cancer markers are at the lowest they have ever been - 3.1 and now sitting within a normal range and I have a great chance at keeping the cancer from progressing rapidly. Another words I am responding so well to the new treatment.

    The side affects have been hard yet manageable and this is my best round yet. I will have a PET scan in September which will show how much progress has been made.

    Right now I am so grateful, thank you to every one of you for your thoughts, prayers and donations this has enabled me an amazing chance to stay around longer and will reduce our cost after the 5months to 3k a fortnight rather than the 6k a fortnight currently.

    I have attached a link to another beautiful lady that has the exact same situation as I do if anyone is interested in why I am only able to receive certain drugs due to the cancer being a particular mutant.

    Very interesting read and I am on the path to also do what I can to help get this funding across the board for future patients.

    So much love to you all x

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/536416/kiwis-call-for-wider-access-of-newly-funded-cancer-drug

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  • Update

      13 June 2025

    Hello all,

    I just wanted to update you all on tash's journey. Through all your love and support we were able to start the unfunded drugs yesterday. It was a big day with 2 hours of IV of imuno therapy followed by 3 hours of regular chemo plus 4 chemo drugs every day. This is our new norm and happens on a fortnightly routine.. too all those who have sent tash messages please know she is not ignoring them she is just resting and building her strength back up and have that amazing smile back on her face again soon and I'm sure she will respond to all soon

    Natasha Gerbich you are amazing your strength and resilience is shinning through. Keep going girl !!, we have both been completely humbled by all the love and support we have received and we both thankyou all.

    - Greg Gerbich

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  • Thank you to everyone

      26 May 2025
    Posted by: natasha gerbich

    I am so completely overwhelmed and my heart is so full with all the love, support, messages and donations towards my treatment. To know that it is possible to hopefully soon start these drugs with the potential to have more time means the world to myself and my incredible family.

    I don’t know how we can thank everyone enough but I will fight my biggest strongest fight and continue to enjoy every day and find the beauty in everything.

    With all my heart, thank you more than you can even imagine ❤️❤️❤️ Tash

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