Keeping Gunjan’s Family by Her Side
Gunjan was rushed from Invercargill to Christchurch ICU, and her family needs our help to stay by her side.
Invercargill, Southland
On Monday 12 October, Gunjan Sharma, a 47-year-old wife and mother of two, suffered a sudden medical event and was rushed to Invercargill Hospital. Just a few hours later, she was urgently transferred to the Intensive Care Unit at Christchurch Hospital, where she is now receiving the best possible care from the incredible ICU team.
Gunjan’s husband and their two children are by her side, but home is in Invercargill, more than 500 km away. Being so far from home brings costs the family never planned for: accommodation, meals, fuel and travel, and time away from work. This could be a long road to recovery, and the family’s greatest wish is simply to stay close to Gunjan through every step of it.
This is an incredibly frightening and traumatic time for them. While we can’t change what has happened, we can help lift some of the financial pressure so they can focus on what matters most: being together and supporting Gunjan.
How your donation will help
Every dollar raised will go directly to Gunjan’s family to cover:
• Accommodation in Christchurch
• Food and everyday living costs
• Travel between Christchurch and Invercargill
• Lost income while they remain by Gunjan’s side
No amount is too small, and if you’re unable to give, sharing this page with your friends and community helps just as much.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your kindness and support. We will share updates on Gunjan’s progress as the family feels comfortable.
With love,
On behalf of the Sharma family
Kaye McCall's involvement (page creator)
Gunjan is our much-loved manager and friend, and as her work family, we’ve come together to support her husband and children while she recovers in Christchurch Hospital ICU.
Use of funds
• Accommodation in Christchurch
• Food and everyday living costs
• Travel between Christchurch and Invercargill
• Lost income while they remain by Gunjan’s side
Latest update
Encouraging news: Gunjan is breathing on her own 5 November 2026
We have some encouraging news to share. On Monday, Gunjan had successful surgery to remove some tissue from her throat, which will help her breathe more comfortably.
She is still breathing on her own, and she's becoming more awake and more active each day. Today the nurses called Anil so he could speak to Gunjan over the phone, a very special moment for the whole family.
The ENT (ear, nose and throat) doctor has explained that Gunjan has some scarring and swelling in her throat. Dunedin Hospital has more ENT specialists who can continue this part of her care, so the plan is to move her there. The timing will depend on the weather, bed availability and how she progresses this week.
The road ahead is still long. Anil continues to work to keep an income coming in for the family while travelling to be with Gunjan, and the costs of travel, accommodation, petrol and food add up quickly, wherever her care takes her next. Every donation helps keep Gunjan's family by her side.
Thank you so much to everyone who has donated, shared and sent love so far. Please keep sharing this page. 💛🙏🏽
With love,
Gunjan's work colleagues
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