Little Nala’s Cancer Fight: Support When It’s Needed Most

$59,021 donated

Given by 466 generous donors in around 5 months

Supporting Nala and her family as they navigate her cancer diagnosis, helping ease the burden so they can focus on being by her side.

Nationwide

Mil and Steve are facing every parent’s worst nightmare, following the devastating cancer diagnosis of their beautiful four-year-old daughter, Nala.

The three of them have now relocated to Starship Children’s Hospital and Ronald McDonald House in central Auckland to begin the journey ahead, with little Soraia joining them in the near future when the time is right.

This means being away from home, work, and daily routines, and their new reality will likely have an impact on their collective work situation, along with the anticipated and unexpected expenses that will no doubt start to accumulate rapidly.

This Givealittle page has been set up to help provide practical and tangible support during the challenging and uncertain times ahead.

After learning of the proposed creation of this page, Mil and Steve have humbly accepted the offer for it to be set up and expressed their intention to be thoughtful stewards of any funds generated as much as possible.

If you’re in a position to make a contribution, it would mean heaps to them, but simply sharing the page can also make a real difference.

Thank you for keeping this lovely family in your thoughts and sending them strength and love.

Milica Milenkovic's involvement (page creator)

Friends

Use of funds

Donations will provide vital support with living costs to help Nala’s family manage the challenges ahead and stay by her side throughout her cancer journey.

Third time lucky, Nala's off to get the baddie out 1 September 2026

Hi everyone,

Tomorrow is the day. After two cancellations, once because Nala was unwell and once her white cell count sat below threshold, her surgery to remove the primary tumour is finally going ahead. And as Nala says, she's getting the baddie out.

Getting here has taken patience, regrouping each time and waiting for her body to be ready. We're grateful she avoided the nasty winter bugs doing the rounds, which could have delayed things.

We've used a photo of Nala at six months old for this update. Looking at her as a baby, so small and new, says everything we feel right now. All you want for them then is to protect, nurture and give the very best. That hasn't changed, and going into tomorrow it feels stronger than ever.

Tomorrow, surgeons will remove the primary tumour, taking as much as they safely can. Friday's scan brought good news, the tumour has shrunk further, putting her in a better position going in.

After surgery, a quick recovery hopefully, on to her bone marrow transplants, then rounds of immunotherapy, which is much easier on her body. Still a long stretch ahead, but these are the steps that get her through.

Something unexpected too. We went on the radio after entering the draw to win a year mortgage free, and told them about Nala. They called us back to surprise us with an anonymous donation. People's kindness continues to move us.

Thank you for staying with us, and for all your love, thoughts and donations.

With love,

Steve, Mil, Nala and Soraia

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