Help us give Zoe her childhood back

Our creative, kind, funny, sassy 10-year-old developed PANS/PANDAS in 2023, following a tick bite and strep throat.

Zoe has endured frightening hallucinations, intrusive thoughts, rage, tics, memory lapses and sensory overwhelm so severe she could not tolerate clothes or her hair touching her neck. Separation anxiety makes being apart from a parent—even at home—feel impossible. At times she has been unable to leave home or attend school.

She loves horses, dancing and her beloved dog, Hoppy Moon. We want her to enjoy these simple joys again.

Immunotherapy brought hope, but another strep infection 2 months ago led to rapid deterioration and repeated emergency hospital admissions.

We have exhausted treatment options in NZ. Zoe has been accepted for 3 weeks of specialist treatment at an international PANS/PANDAS clinic in late November. There are no guarantees, but other families’ experiences give us hope.

We need approximately NZ$60,000 for treatment, flights, accommodation and essential expenses. Her illness affects our whole family and often limits our ability to work.

Please donate if you can, or help by sharing our page. Every donation brings Zoe closer to treatment, and sharing helps raise awareness for others facing this rare & devastating condition.

Zoe has already missed so much of the childhood she deserves. Please help us give her the chance to feel safe in her own body, find joy and be a child again.

With love and gratitude,

Sjan, Suzie and our tamariki