Help Paul and his family to be together during his intensive cancer treatment

Paul Roseveare (45 years old) is dad to two wonderful daughters, Kerin (20 years old) and Kate (10 years old), and husband to his cherished wife Janet.

For 10 years Paul has bravely battled Follicuar Lymphoma.

Just over 10 years ago Paul was diagnosed with Follicular Lymphoma. The news came as a huge shock to family and friends and particularly as it was a week after the birth of Kate. Paul and Janet had only recently immigrated to New Zealand and were optimistic in regards to their future -but this was soon clouded by the strain and despair of his diagnosis.

At the time he was told that it was unlikely that he would survive the cancer however they would offer treatment to buy him some time. Paul embarked on three years of intensive treatment which included several rounds of chemotherapy, intrathecal chemotherapy, a stem cell transplant and radiation. His recovery was slow but steady and he amazed the oncology team as well as his family by pulling through and embarking on a change of career by completing an apprenticeship as a farrier.

Paul was able to work and provide for his family for the 7 years that followed and gradually things became normal for the family with hospital visits and treatment a distant memory.

During those 7 years Paul lived life to the full challenging himself once again by working on a dairy farm. Paul’s love for the outdoors, hard work and dedication to his career and family has given Paul purpose and meaning.

But in October 2014, Paul received the soul destroying blow that his cancer has returned and he will need intensive chemotherapy followed by a bone marrow transplant. Thankfully his sister Dianne, in South Africa, is a match and thus the donor of the bone marrow.

Sadly, Paul was made redundant in December 2014 which has added considerable financial strain to an already stressful situation. The family have also just been told they can no longer stay in their rental house as it was part of the "farm hand" deal that came with the job.

Paul’s chemotherapy is about to start in the coming fortnight and thankfully this will be done at Waikato Hospital so he will be close to and supported by family and friends during that phase of his treatment. The bone marrow transplant, however, will need to be done at Auckland Hospital.

One of the difficulties Paul and his family face is the sheer geographical nature of his treatment, which necessitates him being away from home for possibly months on end. Another challenge is that his sister will need to fly to New Zealand in order to provide the much needed bone marrow.

It is important to be surrounded by those that you love, so enabling Janet, Kerin and Kate to travel regularly to be with their husband/dad is a high priority to all involved.

Paul and Janet would also like to ensure that Dianne is not left out of pocket over the period of time she would need to be in New Zealand. Thankfully her accommodation will be funded however her flight to New Zealand and daily living cost will not.

The other significant challenge to consider is Janet’s time away from both home and work. With only limited leave and finances she faces an extended period without income, adding financial stress to an already extremely difficult time.

Kerin, now 20 years old, has volunteered to put her life on hold so that she can become Paul’s full time care-giver in the months after the bone marrow transplant. She would provide daily care for her dad in Auckland ensuring he is eating and able to attend several weekly appointments.

It is for these reasons, the family would really appreciate any contribution, no matter how small, to assist in taking every opportunity available to bring Paul’s family together in what is a critical time in his life.

Finally, I feel that it is really important to note that although Paul is extremely humbled by the thought of this page, asking for help is rather foreign to him. Paul and Janet have been overwhelmed by the number of people who have offered support already. It is for this reason I have set up this page.