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Lauren’s Chance to Live

  • Surgery Update 28/1/24

      28 January 2024
    Posted by: Michelle Grant
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    Our beautiful Lauren recently underwent a double mastectomy to remove tumours. She is on the road to recovery from this major surgery.

    The unfunded portion of this surgery was possible through the use of Give a Little funds, and we are so grateful and feel very fortunate to have the ability to cover these costs through donations made by so many generous people. Each and every one of you have played a part in ensuring a better future for our girl.

    A high level of vigilance and monitoring will continue alongside the next line of medical treatment to stay ahead of further occurance and treat remaining secondary tumours.

    We remain indebted to all who have supported and continue to support Lauren, and that love and support has been generously given in so many ways. We appreciate you all so much.

    Stage 4 cancer is an unknown and ever evolving journey and one we will continue on with, never giving up hope.

    Alongside ongoing medical treatments we will also focus on a more holistic approach in boosting Lauren’s immune system to its fullest.

    The last 7 months have required very intensive treatments and now its the time to look ahead to more positivity that we can achieve a better future for Lauren, to embrace her new normal.

    So much of this would not have been possible without our donors, our friends and supporters. We so appreciate the continued donations towards future healthcare and unfunded costs to ease the burdon

    Blessings & Love to all who support Lauren on this journey xxx

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  • A Christmas Wish

      4 December 2023
    Posted by: Michelle Grant
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    The toll of cancer, physically, emotionally and financially is high. Lauren has almost completed 7 rounds of arduous chemotherapy over the past 5 months, at times requiring hospital stays, blood transfusions and many unwell days, but Laurens determination and strengh continues to get her through.

    Next month she will undergo a mastectomy, as her 2nd line treatment but once again we find ourselves faced with yet another barrier to be advised funding is only approved for the affected breast, but for her peace and future wellbeing, a bi-lateral mastectomy is best recommended practise and Laurens’s preference.

    Our cost estimation given is 20k for prophylactic surgery for the unaffected breast removal, which we are needing to raise by surgery date 16/01/2024 to achieve her ‘in the bin” need of full mastectomy to mitigate the risk of further tumors developing.

    Friends, family, supporters, here we are just a few weeks from Christmas, a tough time for so many, and we find ourselves with another goal to achieve, there is only one gift we could ever hope for, that is to raise what is needed to give Lauren the full surgery she needs to continue her journey of getting back to wellness and her life as she knew it before breast cancer made an appearance a second time since 2021

    From our family to yours, we thank every one of you who have supported our amazing resilient girl through this tough journey in some way. We remain forever indebted by your love and generosity. Merry Christmas!

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  • The medical challenges we face

      2 October 2023
    Posted by: Michelle Grant
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    We attended a roadshow “My Life Matters” with patient advocate Malcolm Mulholland. He highlights the unfunded medical crisis here in NZ, the degree of unfunded and unavailable life-sustaining medicines in our country. Outlining the many deaths in our country that could have stood chance had they received the drugs needed to improve outcomes and prolong their lives. NZ is sitting below many third world countries when it comes to the supply and funding of much needed medicines, a flawed and failing system. Many Kiwis are leaving NZ to follow their simple dream of “survival” Australia has funded immunotherapy and this includes Kiwis who are leaving their jobs, homes, friends, families to access what they need.

    Our voices need to be heard, NZers deserve better.

    Lauren truly is our warrior, her strength & positivity is so empowering and uplifting.

    She is now in week 9 of 18 weeks of systemic chemotherapy, her first line of treatment. This is still very much the start of this journey and our need to fundraise is still so important to enable Lauren access to the necessary unfunded treatments she needs.

    Please continue to share this page to spread awareness, and if you can, Give a Little.

    Again, As a family we are forever grateful for the giving, the love, and the support that has been shown to Lauren, it all helps to make a devastating diagnosis a little easier to bear. So THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts

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  • And so it begins….

      9 August 2023
    Posted by: Michelle Grant
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    After numerous weeks of tests, scans and biopsies in Hawkes Bay and Auckland, Lauren’s cancer specialist has formulated a plan moving forward. An intensive and gruelling 18 weeks of systemic IV chemotherapy which started today.

    Our beautiful Lauren continues to show such resilience and courage in the face of her diagnosis.

    Our Give a Little and fundraising will continue as this is just the start of her treatment, and with the continuing need for unfunded medications and holistic therapies to assist in keeping her mind and body in the best health we possibly can as chemotherapy reduces her immunity while she fights these tumours.

    Her hopes to return to her frontline role with St John Ambulance must wait a little longer while she prioritizes her own wellbeing with life preserving treatments.

    The heartfelt love she has received from so many of you certainly keeps our hopes and spirits up that she can beat this! Please continue to send your prayers her way, share our Give a Little page, and of course give a little if you can. This page has shown a little goes a long way in supporting Lauren and what she needs right now.

    As always, a huge thank you from the bottom of our hearts 🧡🧡🧡

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  • Tests, tests & more tests….

      6 July 2023
    Posted by: Michelle Grant
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    After engaging with a breast cancer specialist in Auckland, further tests and procedures have been underway including a lung biopsy just completed in Auckland to give us a clearer picture to ensure the best treatment path for Lauren can be put in place to fight her tumours in the most effective way.

    Last week we felt huge relief that her bone scan results came back all clear and a visit with her gastroenterologist was encouraging as far as moving forward with immunotherapy treatment options. Small wins but they give us the hope to continue being positive in Laurens chance to live.

    The costs of unfunded treatment required, we understand will run into the tens of thousands of dollars, a thought we simply cannot allow to become a barrier in Lauren’s journey.

    We will continue to look to raise every cent needed.

    We continue to be humbled and blown away at the generosity and outpouring of love from friends and strangers alike for our beautiful girl.

    A special thanks also go to Clique Fitness for their generous fundraiser run last week and Cloud 9 for the donation of massage services with Monique Low Massage Therapy.

    Please continue to share our page, donate if you can

    No amount is too small, so again THANK YOU ALL, You are our hope for Lauren’s future XX

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    • 07/07/2023 by Clint Beckett

      Love that sweet and positive smile in the photo. You rock Lauren!

  • Thankyou from the bottom of our hearts ❤️

      23 June 2023
    Posted by: Michelle Grant
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    To all who have donated to Lauren’s cause thus far we are so humbled and overwhelmed at the generosity of friends, family, strangers who care enough. Please know every little bit will be used to support Lauren’s medical costs. The past week she has had numerous tests and appointments preparing her for the treatments ahead. Our priority is to keep her well and healthy in preparation for what lays ahead. Immunotherapy for her is still unknown due to other medical issues complicating things but we remain on the road to positively and continue to look into overseas treatments which may be more beneficial to her. Please keep her in your prayers and well wishes, again Thank you for being a part of Lauren’s journey, it means the world to her and her family who love her X

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