Megan Tasker is an amazing person. Please help with support and funding, as she battles an aggressive form of lung cancer with all she has.
Wellington
Megan is one of the most caring and genuine woman we know. She’s loyal, generous, funny and kind, yet very humble. She is an incredible daughter, sister, partner, friend and colleague, admired and loved by all her family and everyone that meets her. She always has a smile to share and a warm welcome to everyone she meets. She has never smoked, is very sporty, exercises regularly and has a very healthy and varied lifestyle. She has represented New Zealand in women’s softball and Wellington in women’s football.
Life changed for Megan on 1 September 2017 (her 30th birthday), when she found out that the x-ray she had after going to her doctor for a persistent cough was abnormal. On 31 October 2017 she received the devastating news that she was suffering from an advanced and aggressive form of lung cancer.
After the initial diagnosis, Megan had major surgery to remove the upper lobe of her right lung. It was hoped it would be a relatively straight forward recovery, but it was not to be. The cancer had spread to her leg. She had more surgery to have a section of her Tibia bone removed, and the prognosis again was good. Unfortunately, the tumor had now metastasized meaning it has spread from her lung, to her other leg, pancreas, lower back, arm, rib and lymph nodes.
Megan’s fighting this cruel disease with everything she’s got. She has approached this as she does everything, head on, and determined to beat it. Recently, she has had to give up work as she’s not well enough to continue. Chemo has not halted the cancer, so a secondary treatment has been devised by her oncologist. This involves Radiotherapy to assist with the pain and the use of Atezolizumab – an immunotherapy drug. Atezolizumab has a proven success rate treating many different forms of cancer through reprogramming the immune system to remember to attack the cancer cells.
Megan has been living in Australia for the past year, and has been lucky enough to have been receiving fantastic medical treatment, with a lot of the costs being covered. There are still a large amount of costs involved, including prescription medication and treatments, and as Megan is no longer able to work or drive, finances are crippling.
Since the initial diagnosis we’ve had to watch our Megan succumb to unbearable abdominal, rib and back pains, nausea, headaches, and the hardest to handle - having little or no energy to be her normal self. She was recently admitted to hospital for nearly two weeks, for around-the-clock pain and nausea management.
Megan has made the really tough decision that she would like to return to New Zealand, before she becomes too ill to travel. However, this means that she will have to pay for the immunotherapy treatment as it is unfunded in New Zealand, which costs $6,000-8,000 NZD per session. It could initially mean regular travel between Aussie & New Zealand.
We had been deliberating whether to start up a Givealittle page, as a way of providing some financial support towards Megan’s treatment. She is a very independent woman who always puts everyone else first, so this kind of thing is really hard for her to accept, but as she’s in such a tough situation, Megan has agreed to let us set this page up.
She has many colleagues, friends and family who are showing their support & love for her in many ways, from travelling from far and wide to visit, and providing help with transport, meals and finance. We want to show Megan how special she is to us, and to thank her for her energy, optimism, and positive attitude towards life, no matter what it throws at her. She has so often shown how compassionate she is, offering laughter and tears, and worrying about everyone else, despite what she’s going through, and always with unconditional friendship and love.
Many people have asked, "What can we do to help?" This is definitely one way we can all help, and any contribution would be greatly appreciated. So please give as much or as little as you can as everything helps. Let’s show Megan how special she is to each and every one of us. Please help provide financial support towards Megan’s, prescription medication, treatments, travel home, unfunded immunotherapy, and some alternative treatments she is looking into.
We are truly grateful for everyone’s support and Megan’s fight will be strengthened by each and every one of you who have shown your love in so many ways. Thank you for supporting Megan.
I am Megan's older sister. We are best friends and I want to do everything I can to help her through this tough situation.
100% of the funds raised will go towards Megan’s continued treatment, including medical costs and future care. Any surplus will be used for experiences for Megan, and to relieve some financial stress for Megan and her partner Richard.
Final Update 18 October 2018
One final update to let you know that the funds will be used to cover the sudden costs of getting family to Australia urgently to be able to say goodbye to Megan and to bring family members over to New Zealand for her funeral. Our family will be donating the remaining funds to a number of charities both in Australia & New Zealand that were close to Megan's heart.
Thank you once again for your love and support. ❤️
- The Tasker's x
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