Help Sonya Fight Bowel Cancer with Life-Changing Immunotherapy

$30,023 of $30,000 goal
Given by 275 generous donors in 2 days

Help us fund life-changing ‘Ipilimumab and Nivolumab’ immunotherapy for Sonya Afendoulis as she fights bowel cancer.

Taupo, Waikato

Our beautiful Sonya Afendoulis has recently been diagnosed with bowel cancer, turning our family's world upside down.

Sonya’s cancer does not respond to funded chemotherapy leaving us with unfunded immunotherapy + surgery as the best chance to beat it.

With two rounds of immunotherapy, the goal is to shrink the tumour and give her own immune system the best possible chance to recognise and fight the cancer!

Anyone who knows Sonya knows she would never ask for help herself.

As her children beautifully put it:

"Mum is a hard-working woman who never asks anyone for a hand or help. She is the rock of our family and the person we all go to whenever we need help, advice, or just someone to talk to. She is the type of person to show up for you even when she has her own struggles. She has the biggest heart and would do absolutely anything for the people she loves, often putting everyone else's needs before her own. Mum is the most selfless, kind and compassionate person we know and has spent her whole life caring for others, and now it's our turn to show her it doesn't go unnoticed and that we are here for her."

Every donation, no matter the size, will go directly towards funding her immunotherapy treatment and giving her the best possible chance to fight this disease. If you're unable to donate, simply sharing this page with others would mean the world to us.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your kindness, generosity, and support.

Paige Downard's involvement (page creator)

I am Sonya's niece, fundraising alongside our family to help give her the best possible chance to beat bowel cancer.

Use of funds

All funds raised will go directly towards Sonya's unfunded immunotherapy treatment (Ipilimumab and Nivolumab), including two treatment rounds recommended by her specialist, with any additional funds helping cover related medical/treatment expenses (including consultation fees, oncology treatment fee, oral treatment fee, blood transfusion, port bloods, blood tests, fluids, administration of injections, etc.) and loss of income during this time.

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Latest donations

Elita, Larsen and Miri
Elita, Larsen and Miri 6 hours ago
Thank you for always being there for us. You have got this!!
$300
Casey-James
Casey-James 7 hours ago
$100
Kelly J
Kelly J 7 hours ago
Sending positive thoughts and strength during your treatment and recovery
$50
Nicola
Nicola 7 hours ago
$20
Bush
Bush 8 hours ago
$250

Who's involved?

Paige Downard's avatar
Created by Paige Downard
Sonya Afendoulis's avatar
Paying to a verified bank account of Sonya Afendoulis
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This campaign started on 7 Aug 2026 and ends on 6 Aug 2027.