Help us continue to fight Cancer, With Keytruda.

In September 2018 my 56 year old Mum was diagnosed with Lung Cancer. By October 2018 we had found out it was stage four cancer as it had spread to her lymph nodes and adrenal glands. After meeting with oncologists and having tests Mum was meant to start Chemotherapy at the end of January 2019. She was given 9-12 months to live, a very heartbreaking situation for us all.

After doing our own research in this time we stumbled on immunotherapy treatment, in particular Keytruda (pembrolizumab). We sent mum all the information we could find about it for her to take to her oncologist and see how we go about it. Unfortunately we would find out that this drug was not funded for NSCLC (Non small cell lung cancer) and that it would be expensive. She got tests done to see if she was compatible with Keytruda and about two weeks before she was meant to start her Chemo she got the news she was compatible! We were all thrilled but also nervous. Mum got her first infusion on the 7th of January 2019. She would get her infusions every 3 weeks at a cost of $6000.

The first CT scan after a few treatments showed her tumor in her lung was shrinking and has continued to do so.

Mums treatment is now every 6 weeks and at a cost of $2000 each time for administration fees etc, as they reached the cap of 100K to Merek Sharp & Dohme (Company that makes Keytruda)

With Mums Kiwisaver cashed out and life savings spent on the last year of treatment, Traveling from Central Otago to Dunedin and back every three weeks, We are reaching out for help to continue this treatment which has kept mum around longer and given us even more hope.

They are currently Living in South Otago to be closer for treatment, while trying to sell their house in Central Otago they still have a mortgage on. Their life is in limbo at the moment.

The Goal amount of $15,000 is for another years worth of treatment at $2000 every six weeks. We would like to ease the financial burden in this time, with the uncertainty of the housing market.

We will be forever thankful for any donations and support. Every bit counts.