Help Ralph Stark beat Cancer with Life-saving Immunotherapy
Help Ralph Stark Beat Cancer with Life-Saving Immunotherapy & keep hope alive
Christchurch, Canterbury
In March 2025, our lives were turned upside down when we learned that Ralph Stark — Husband of 51+yrs to Daphne, Loved Dad to Arron, Sara, & William, Proud Granddad to Jack, Alex, & Quin — was diagnosed with aggressive & advanced form of skin cancer (Carcinoma), the second most common type of skin cancer in NZ.
After losing his ear to cancer last year. Standard treatments have now been exhausted. Our last hope is Immunotherapy, specifically Keytruda (Pembrolizumab), Medsafe-approved but not yet PHARMAC-funded.
International research shows that with immunotherapy, Ralph has an 80%+ chance of fighting this cancer successfully. Treatment amounts to over $95,775 per year (quoted by St Georges Cancer Care Centre), with the potential need for 2–3 years of therapy.
Despite his diagnosis, He continues to work, a testament to his character. Known across NZ and abroad in the Road Transport, Marine Engineering Industries including Fishing, he is respected for his skill, tenacity, and “get it done” approach.
Supporting Ralph through this treatment isn’t just about him, every patient who receives this treatment helps build the case for future PHARMAC funding, making it more accessible for others in the future.
As a family, we are doing everything we can to fight alongside him, with managing meds, nutrition, & keeping hope alive.
We will also be sharing updates here as regularly as we can.
Please donate, share, and help us give Ralph a fighting chance.
With gratitude,
Johnson-Stark family
Sara & William Johnson-Stark's involvement (page creator)
Sara & William - Daughter and Son of Ralph
Use of funds
All money raised will go directly toward immunotherapy treatment and essential health costs during this journey such as Specialist (Oncology) appointments, MRI & CT Scans
Latest update
Treatment update 4 October 2025
We've done a 3 way approach to give the best chance: Naturopathic care, Nutritional support, & Oncology treatment. With this combined effort, we are deeply relieved to share that Ralph is within the 50% having positive results, we put this down to the 3 ways.
Keytruda has saved Ralph. At start of treatment, the tumor site was raised about two inches. Today, it's now flat. Keytruda is actively working on the tumor internally, killing cancer cells within his body. This has given Ralph real hope for long-term treatment and recovery.
We are now halfway through a year of treatment. The medical progress is encouraging, the journey has been exhausting & financially overwhelming. With Daphne, Sara, and William as Ralph’s only caregivers, we have faced the marathon of sleepless nights, hospital stays, and the emotional and physical toll of constant care.
We’ve encountered serious challenges, including infections in the tumor, radiotherapy immune cancer, & the reality of an aggressive tumor encasing the main artery, multiple nerves, & muscles. These were incredibly stressful months, & we have lived in pure survival mode at Ralph’s side.
Despite everything, we are grateful beyond words—for the private support, the kindness shared through this page, & for everyone who continues to stand with us.
The journey isn't over we are still paying for treatment which has its financial toll weekly.
Thank you for your continued encouragement, prayers, and support. Daphne, Sara & William
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