HELP OUR MUM KICK CANCERS ASS!!!

Hi everyone,

My name is Shannon Thompson, thank you for taking the time to read my page.

I am creating this page on behalf of my best friend, my heart, my beautiful mumma, Rawinia.

My gorgeous mum has been battling cancer for over 10 years now, with her fierce nature allowing her to fight back against this awful disease for over a decade. Just when we thought we were completely in the clear, it came back with a vengeance just over a year ago, posing an uphill battle that only seems to be getting steeper.

Firstly, a bit about the incredible woman I am lucky enough to call my mum. From a young age, she taught me and my siblings to be strong, courageous and to aim for the stars. She taught us that there is more to life than material possessions and we lived our childhoods soaking in the outdoors & spending family evenings around the campfire. Our mumma is a free spirit and has spent much of her life travelling and sharing the great New Zealand landscape and its history with others through her work. She is always on the end of the phone for advice, laughter and a kind ear.

Although still a fighter, she is now at the point where the cancer is inside and outside both lungs, abdomen, sacral area and her spine and the pain is becoming unmanageable. Mum has been in a hospice for the last 2 months, where the care and support has been incredible and very healing for her, however, she is now needing to go back to her studio flat. With the pain somedays meaning she is unable to move, she cannot work so is not earning an income.

Having to fend for herself again is going to be challenging but, as a strong, independent woman, she is looking forward to being in her own peaceful space again too.

I have started this page so that I can also help support my mum the best way I can. Unfortunately bills don’t stop when cancer roars in and turns your life upside down.

For example, mum still needs to fund medical bills, medicine, rent, utility bills, food & petrol for people to drive her to and from doctors’ appointments. She really needs a new bed, as she is most comfortable lying down, I would love to be able to treat her to a new one. My two youngest siblings are still in school and are doing an amazing job of supporting mum emotionally. My elder brother and I are doing all we can to cover costs, alongside the sickness support she gets from the government, but we can’t quite make ends meet &, more importantly, help mum with the comfort she deserves and needs at this time.

As I’m sure you can appreciate, our mum is our world, and we try to remain strong in supporting this beautiful woman through the toughest time of her life. This has been an extremely traumatic and heavily emotional time for mum and us, her children. Watching mum trying to hide excruciating pain and not being able to alleviate it any way is heartbreaking for us, hence why I am asking for support. If anyone taking the time to read this can donate a small amount we would be beyond grateful, as every little donation will go towards keeping our mumma comfortable, and in the smallest amount of pain & stress possible.

We understand that the festive season is coming, everyone has their own commitments and responsibilities and we truly do appreciate you taking the time to consider helping our little family.

Even if you can only spare $5, it would mean a great deal to our mum.

Thank you.

‘No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.’ Aesop’s Fables.