OUR LOVELY LUCY NEEDS YOUR HELP

Our lovely sister Lucy has spent 3 years battling metastatic breast and lung cancer. She was lucky enough to be accepted for a promising drug trial in Sydney, and spent several months over there receiving treatment. However, when the tumours started growing again, she was hugely disappointed to find out she was actually taking a placebo and not the trial drug.(all drug trials have to have a percentage of participants taking a placebo instead of the actual drug)

She has now started on a 6 month trial of a promising chemo drug, but unfortunately this is not funded in NZ. She will have to pay $8,500 per treatment, every 3 weeks (total $50,000)

We are hoping to raise funds for Lucy to keep her on this chemo to give her the best chance for more time with her precious family.

Every dollar donated goes directly to Lucy's cause

Her courage, awesome sense of humour and positive attitude never cease to amaze us all. We all wish Lucy the very best and know her amazing determination and the ongoing support from everyone will be her greatest asset.

LETTER FROM LUCY

Hello, my name is Lucy Marshall. I am 45 years old, married to Dean for 20 years, and mother to Rosie, William and Emma. Just over 3 years ago I was just going about my busy life, not thinking for a second that something life-threatening could be happening. But, sure enough, I discovered a very big lump in my right breast and life has never been the same since.

I had my initial treatment, chemo, surgery and radiotherapy. But only 5 months later there were spots on my lungs. That was more heart-breaking to hear than the initial breast cancer diagnosis, because now I knew it was here to stay, and my life expectancy was not long. A very daunting thing to face for anyone at whatever stage in their lives.

So I had to face more chemo, which wouldn't be so bad if it worked for longer than 5 months, but none of them seemed to, and each course brought a whole lot of new side-effects. I have lost count of how many different types of chemo I have now tried. When my oncologist said we were getting to the bottom of the barrel, we opted to participate in a drug trial in Sydney, along with another course of chemo. Initially I had a great response but when the chemo stopped working the cancer grew back, and I was disappointed to discover I had been given a placebo, not the trial drug. (all drug trials require a percentage of participants to be taking a placebo).

My oncologist in Sydney suggested I try a promising chemo that is funded in Australia, but not here in NZ. My oncologist back here thought it was a good idea, as there was nothing else I could try under the funded drug regime in NZ.

Unfortunately the cost of this non-funded drug here in NZ is $50,000 for 6 rounds ($8,500 per dose, given every 3 weeks). I have taken out a loan for this but would dearly love not to have to borrow the whole amount as I feel like such a financial burden to my family.

So I am asking anyone for any sort of donation, big or small, and if you are able to help you have my heartfelt thanks. My main aim in life now is to be around for as long as possible to spend time with my family and friends, and create special memories for the future.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. I wish you the best of health.

love Lucy