Help support Taha Fasi's cancer treatment

In my father's words:

"In September 2019, I had a cancerous tumor removed from my bowel along with part of my colon. Unfortunately, where the bowel had been re-joined, there was a leak and ensuing infection. I was in hospital for 8 weeks then home recovering. In January 2020, I underwent further surgery to repair the bowel join and then home again to recover. This all meant that there was a significant delay in starting chemotherapy.

By the time chemo got underway, spots had appeared in my lungs and liver. I then underwent 12 cycles of chemo which held back and reduced the size of some of the tumors. Drs thought planning to remove half of my liver would be a good approach and I underwent two procedures to facilitate moving in this direction. However, these again delayed further chemo happening. I also developed diabetes in response to the steroids given to reduce the side effects of chemo. In every other way, I am in good health. I am now up to my 5th cycle of a second line of chemo but have been told I would benefit from a non-government-funded drug Bevacizumab (Avastin). One that’s been proven overseas in just about all western countries to add length of life for patients. This treatment will cost about $30,000 for 3 months or $75,000 for 12 months.

I am just coming up 65 years. I am very involved in community work and want to accomplish much more yet, especially for our Pacific Island peoples. I work on a contract basis for many Pacific community groups, and some Pacific small businesses with hands-on work in areas of governance, management/operations, compiling annual financial reports, bidding for grant funding, etc. Some groups call me "doctor" because I provide "treatment" in solving the governance and management (including staffing) challenges and problems that they face every day. I need and want to continue these activities but my lungs and liver are under attack!

My family simply cannot pay for this treatment on our own."

We are truly grateful for the support of any kind you extend to our family through this journey.

Fakaue lahi ke he tau loto fakalofa.