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David Downs

  • Today we reached a major milestone –

      22 February 2018

    I received back the genetically modified T-Cells in the clinical trial I am on here in Boston. The process is short – an hour – and now I just have to wait a few weeks to see if it works. I am handling it all well so far – so well in fact that they have allowed me to be treated as an outpatient for the whole time.

    I won’t forget the generosity of all who contributed to getting me here, and I thank you again. I will send you another update in a few weeks when we have the results of the various tests and scans.

    Ngā mihi nui

    David

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  • Update from David

      19 December 2017

    Hi everyone – I’d like to say thank you from my family and me for your amazingly generous support. It’s been overwhelming and humbling to be the recipient of so much positive emotion and thought. This whole cancer journey has had some real lows, of course, but also some amazing highs, and feeling the support of so many people is definitely one of them. I regularly picture in my mind the sight of 1200 people cheering me on and it gives me strength.

    I have formed a Trust Fund to hold the proceeds from this Give A Little page, and from other fundraising project. Two of my friends have agreed to be trustees, and we are putting all of the funds into an account that they will control.

    The aim of the trust is to fund medical and travel costs, related to my cancer treatment in the USA, for my family and me. At this stage, we expect these costs will be around $500,000 so we are likely to expend both the funds you have generously given me, plus our own funds. If by some miracle the costs are a lot lower, the Trust will decide to do with whatever left over funds there are, although I have suggested that they donate it to Leukaemia and Blood Cancer NZ or a similarly affiliated entity.

    I hope that in some way my involvement in this Car-T Clinical Trial will benefit others. I’m sure it will. I feel excited and proud to be a part of such a promising and pioneering treatment and thank you all so sincerely for getting me there.

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  • 7 Daves Comedy Night - Sounds like a great night

      28 November 2017

    The creme de la creme of New Zealand’s stand-up comedy scene (Jeremy Corbett, Paul Ego, Dai Henwood, and others) are putting on the show of a lifetime! “7 Daves Comedy Night” in the Auckland Viaduct Event Centre on Sunday the 17th of December will be the Christmas event to put the sparkle in your spangle, and the dangle in your baubles. Enjoy a full evening’s entertainment from this all-star line-up as well as a two-course dinner and live music from “Dukes of Hammersmith”.

    In the spirit of Christmas, these performers have got together to support fellow comedian, blogger, author and public servant David Downs and his family with David’s cancer treatment. David has been accepted for a clinical trial called CAR-T treatment in Boston, USA (it is not available in New Zealand).

    The humour and honesty of David’s blogging throughout his sickness have been appreciated by people all over the world. The opportunity for him to do this Clinical Trial is potentially not only life-saving but also an invaluable contribution to the greater good.

    Come along and enjoy a one night only private event – a laugh with great food, great friends and great music – knowing that you’re doing a great deed. All money raised in this fundraising event will go to David Downs’ support trust. On behalf of David and his family, we thank you greatly for your wonderful support.

    If you would like to book a table of ten or purchase tickets for this event, please contact comedy@doozie.co.nz

    Tickets are $250.00 p.p

    Tickets will be processed and emailed to you on receipt of your payment.

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  • Update from David

      17 November 2017

    Hi everyone. Firstly can I say thank you all, from me and my family, for thinking about us and for the amazing messages and contributions of support. It’s truly humbling to be the subject of so much help. I have a vision in my mind of 1,000 people all cheering me on, which is an amazing feeling.

    The financial contributions have been beyond my wildest imaginations. I was very reluctant to set up a Give a Little page – I asked some close family and friends not to do it when they suggested it a couple of weeks back. However my mate Bob Pinchin, who is a wonderfully kind soul, took the initiative and clearly it struck a chord.

    I wanted you to know that I really appreciate the contributions, and I wanted to let you know I plan to only use the money if I really need it. Katherine and I are also looking at other options to fund the medical costs, and if we can we will use those to get as close as we can to the required funds. We’ve also asked a lawyer friend to set up a trust and to hold the Give a Little money and any other funds raised in a separate trust from us, and if at the end of all this there is any left, he’s been asked to donate it to Leukaemia and Blood Cancer NZ. We’ll also report the costs we incur and the amounts raised very transparently for all.

    So – thank you again for your support and messages, and the contributions you’ve made. I guess the purpose of this update is to assure you we will be respectful and responsible of the gifts you have given.

    Ngā mihi nui

    David Downs (and family)

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    • 23/11/2017 by Elizabeth

      Please don't feel you aren't entitled to use these funds for the purpose for which they are given. As one of your readers I have been so inspired (and amused) by your chronicles. I have learned so much even though I have had cancer treatment myself. I hope you're ok with me praying for you regularly.