Help us fund treatment for Shanes brain cancer. The recommended treatment is not funded by the public health system or our insurance.
Nationwide
We are a young family living in Hamilton, New Zealand. Shane is a 37 year old dad to two beautiful daughters aged 4.5 years and 10 months old. He is the loving husband of Sam. This is our story:
Shane was diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) brain cancer in November 2013 after he suffered a grand mal seizure and lost consciousness at work. 10 days later Shane had brain surgery to remove a tumour the size of a golf ball. This was followed by a regime of radiation to the brain and chemotherapy for 6 weeks. Shane then had an additional 6 rounds of chemotherapy as well as being on an immunotherapy drug trial for brain cancer.
In November 2014 a MRI showed a recurrence of the cancer, and in December Shane had his second brain surgery to remove the tumour. A follow up MRI post surgery has shown more tumour growth to the brain.
The oncology team have advised that the most effective treatment for a recurracne of this type of cancer is a combination of Avastin and Irinotecan drugs. Here in New Zealand Avastin is not PHARMAC approved so cannot be offered in the public health system, or paid for by insurance.
We have been quoted $75,000 for this treatment for Shane. Our insurance company will cover $25,000 of this, including the chemotherapy drug Irinotecan as this is PHARMAC approved. This leaves us with a short fall of $50,000.
Please help us raise the funds needed for Shane to receive this combination of chemotherapy and beat brain cancer.
We thank you all for your love and support, Arohanui from our family to yours x
Rest In Peace Warrior Simpkins 19.01.78 - 14.01.16 20 January 2016
Our brave Shane Simpkins passed away peacefully surrounded by his family and friends.
We said farewell to the most incredible man at Taitua Arboretum... a setting fit for Shane, nestled amongst the trees and encompassed with a stone circle.
Shane fought long and hard - sharing such fierce determination which never waded even in his final days.
Forever in our hearts, remembered always
We love you babe xx
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