Karen's Cancer fight may have been lost but we can all help her now. It is a team effort!!!!!

My sister Karen is 49 years old and is one of the most genuine, generous and caring people I know.

At the end of February 2020 Karen was training for a bike race with her work friends and had severe back ache. A visit to hospital shattered Karen’s family and friends with the news that Karen had ovarian cancer.

Karen started treatment straight away, this included chemotherapy in Blenheim, followed by major surgery in Christchurch. Unfortunately, Karen’s body reacted dangerously to Chemo and she could only tolerate limited treatments. Karen with her inherent optimism took treatment and side trips to the HDU in her stride and at the end of treatment everything looked very positive.

Two days before Christmas Karen and Ewan were given the devastating news that their fight against the Cancer has failed, and she has 3-6 months left to live.

Karen grew up in the small town of Darfield, Canterbury. She left to serve in the NZ Army based in Waiouru for a number of years and then moved to a career in the NZ Police. She stayed for 14 years in the Police working throughout the country: Manawatu, West Coast, Canterbury and Southland. During her time in the Police Karen was awarded a bravery medal for work during the Manawatu floods and another medal from her work on the CTV building during the Canterbury earthquakes.

Karen left the police and began a new chapter in her life with Ewan living in Marlborough, based 40 minutes out of Blenheim. She was working in Blenheim at a medical centre and she loved her job.

I think Karen would be the first to say her greatest achievements are meeting and marrying Ewan as well as her two adult children. Her son, Cody, is an electrician in the NZ Army based in the North Island and her daughter Jordon, is an Early Childhood Educator in Nelson. Karen is also the proud Nan-Nan of 2-year-old Ellie, Jordon’s daughter.

Those who know Karen will tell you that she is the budgeting queen and has saved hard all her life. This budgeting, and ability to stick to it, has enabled Karen and to work part time, while maintaining their standard of living. Possibly most important to Karen, it enabled her to indulge in the career she most looked forward to, that of Nan-Nan, taking Ellie on adventures each week.

Karen has worked hard right up until she could no longer work. Unfortunately, because of her budgeting expertise she and Ewan will receive no financial support from the government. Ewan has taken leave without pay from work to care for Karen in her final months and they have no income to assist with living expenses.

No one knows how long Karen will be with us. Her children are continuing to work and travel at every opportunity to visit their Mum/Nan-Nan as much as they can. Karen needs them to be with her.

I have set this page up to ask for support from friends and family and others that can help. Every little bit would help support Karen and Ewan with paying of bills, petrol and other needs. I want to take the stress away from my sister, she’s been through enough without worrying about finances in her final days. Karen has served her country/community nearly all her working life, now we have an opportunity to acknowledge that.

Karen took a bit of convincing to let me start a ‘give a little page,’ however, commented ‘if it was one of my friend’s I would want them to have the support, so yes’.

Please support Karen and give a little xx