Help Jody Young and her family’s battle with cancer

$12,213 donated

Given by 130 generous donors in one year

Diagnosed with stage 4b Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Jody needs your help while she undergoes an extended period of treatment and recovery.

Auckland

Until recently, Jody was an active busy mother of two young girls enjoying life with a loving husband, caring extended family and a wide circle of friends in their close knit community of Warkworth. But as most of us were celebrating Christmas, Jody and Aaron received some devastating news.

A diagnosis of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma later upgraded to stage 4b means they are now facing challenges they could never have imagined.

While family and friends were quick to offer practical support it soon became apparent that assistance is needed from further afield. A single income family paying market rates for rent, without health or life insurance and faced with daily expenses including added costs associated with her illness, means the financial burden is overwhelming. In addition to this, one of Jody’s single most concerns is that of the girls. She and Aaron are very anxious that their lives run as close to normal as possible. Therefore in order for Aaron to care for Jody and take over the daily routine associated with a pre-schooler and five year old, he has no option other than to take increasing periods of leave.

It is with this in mind that we have set up this fund to kindly ask if in any way you could help, no matter how small, to alleviate some of the pressure enabling Jody to focus her attention on getting well.

Rosemary Carew's involvement (page creator)

Jody’s husband Aaron is my nephew. In the years we have known her she has become a much loved and valued family member, always cheerful with a smile and ready to be involved in all family and community activities.

Use of funds

Any donations received will be directly used to offset the family’s living costs.

Jody Young's treatment programme 8 February 2018

Just an update concerning Jody's treatment programme. As many of you already know through Jody, the family and social media, her last round of chemo was not as successful as expected.This means that in order for her to undergo the cell transplant she requires, she needs to try non-funded drugs first in the hope they are more effective than the three different chemo types she has already had.

These drugs come at a huge cost.

As an alternative, she has been accepted for immediate start onto a funded clinical trial comparing two modern therapy drugs.How well these drugs work will determine when she can have her stem cell transplant and radiation treatment.

She still has a long way to go.

Jody and the family continue to be humbled by the ongoing practical and moral support as well as the love that comes from near and far. Words cannot express their gratitude.

Share this update

View and comment