Margaret Lilo needs your help

Margaret was fulfilling her dream of working in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand as part of the RSE Scheme (Recognised Seasonal Employee). She had been working and earning enough to support her family in the Solomon Islands, until a mysterious lump brought her dream to a nightmarish halt.

At just 28 years old Margaret was diagnosed with an aggressive form of B Cell Lymphoma in January this year. Thankfully, treatment in New Zealand was possible through her insurance cover and the prognosis was good.

However, with in a short time of Margaret completing what appeared to be a successful course of chemotherapy, the aggressive form of lymphoma has come back.

Now, with no insurance cover for further treatment and time running out, her only wish is to return home to her family, even knowing that there is no treatment available in the Solomons.

A large amount of work by her employers Gourmet Paprika, and Gourmet Blueberries and the Solomon Island High Commission resulted in having Margaret booked to fly home last Thursday, September 3, transiting through Brisbane.

Imagine the shock, finding out 10 minutes’ drive away from the Auckland International Airport all flights had been cancelled and with Auckland in lockdown they had no option but to turn around and do the long drive back to Hawke’s Bay.

With no immediate flights on the horizon and an insidious cancer that doesn’t care about time or Covid restrictions, this beautiful young woman is now faced with more uncertainty.

Her savings are gone and prior to her uneventful flight home she incurred a medical bill for radiation therapy that was given to try and halt the tumour short term.

We hope that somehow, we will find a way to get Margaret home very soon.

By giving to Margaret’s Give a Little page you can help pay her hospital bill and ensure there are enough funds available to cover future costs incurred in the precious time Margaret has left with us.