Nana Deb’s gov-unfunded cancer fund

Deborah, mum or —as most of my friends affectionately refer to her as— Zebra, has been battling dual cancers for the last year.

We had been lucky enough to be placed onto a trial that was working wonders. Mum had been tolerating treatment well, we were seeing a reduction in the cancer and, in all honesty, we got very comfortable in an otherwise very uncomfortable situation.

That was until her last trip to see the grandkiddos. On, what she dubbed, "the flight from hell," (shout out to Air NZ) her shoulder ended up fracturing, which we later found out was due to a cancer spot present in the bone. This spot unfortunately, abruptly ended her spot on the trial and as of last week she's been placed back into the public system.

Now, NZ's healthcare system is great, a lot of cancer treatment is funded — however, some particular treatments that are standard course in most developed countries, are still unfunded here — one of which was available via the trial. You guessed it, the drug that was working wonders, is now out of pocket.

We know this is an enormous amount. This is going to be an ongoing cost, the drug alone is a couple thousand dollars a go, every two weeks. Know that we’re bought in regardless, but as they say, every little bit helps. So thank you in advance for even reading this far and thank you again if you consider donating whatever you can spare.

Lots of love, from our family to yours.

Jordan and Deborah