Help Sharon battle Terminal Cancer

The recent Covid 19 quanrantine period was a challenging time for most New Zealanders - but for Sharon, it was life changing. Over the lockdown, she discovered that her sore back, was actually the devastating news that she was suffering from Lung Cancer - and that it was terminal.

Sharon is a vibrant, busy, healthy wife and mum - who loves her job at one of the area's local schools - Bay of Island's Academy, where she worked as office extraordinaire - Whaea Sharon is loved by students, staff and parents alike.

Understandably, the news was devastating for Sharon, her husband Garry and their daughter Brittany. Treatment options were limited, and not able to promise a great deal. So it was a wee glimmer of hope when Sharon was tested and found to be compatible for the immunotherapy drug Keytruda. The potential for this drug to buy Sharon time with her family and friends means the decision to proceed despite the huge costs involved was an easy one.

Keytruda costs just under $10,000 per cycle - which in Sharon's case is every three weeks and therefore could well mean a total cost of some $95,000-$100,000 by the end of the full course of treatment each year!

Unbelievably, the huge cost is not the only hurdle this lovely family is facing. Sharon's story hit another bump in the road a few short weeks ago when she suffered a massive stroke which has been devastating- and debilitating. What was already a hard journey - got a hell of a lot harder.

Sharon and her family are determined to face the future head on - Sharon is improving a little every day following her stroke - and she has started the Keytruda treatment in her efforts to get as well as she can - she is a fighter, and it is our hope that others may contribute to help pay for this unfunded drug to help her battle this vicious disease.

Thank you, on behalf of Sharon, Garry and Brittany x