Neil's 3rd Battle with Cancer

$5,466 donated

Given by 72 generous donors in around 6 months

Please help Neil, Jodi and their boys through this difficult time. Every cent counts and can make a big difference in their lives.

Otago

Hi there, thanks for having a look at this page. I am raising funds to help Neil and his partner Jodi and their 2 boys get by whilst Neil is in hospital battling his 3rd bout of cancer. Neil was diagnosed in 2012 with Stage 4 Hodgkins Lymphoma, after 6 months of treatment he won his battle but later in 2016 he was unwell again and was diagnosed with stage 4 Burketts Lymphoma.. yet again after 1 year of treatments he kicked that cancers butt too and was officially in remission. Life seemed grand for Neil, Jodi and the boys. Neil is an Electrician and went into business for himself and Jodi works as Mobile Hair Dresser and in a Salon as well. Earlier this year unfortunately Neil again was unwell and has been diagnosed this time round with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia. At this stage Neil needs 2 - 3 rounds of chemo, 4 - 5 weeks apart, he will also need 3 months of bone marrow transplants (which he will have to be in Christchurch for) and Jodi is also taking in the majority of his meals as we all know that hospital food is not the best and as he lost over 45kgs with his last rounds of chemo, it is really important for him to keep as much weight on as possible. He is stuck in hospital fighting this awful battle while Jodi is doing all she can to keep the house afloat, pay the bills, raise 2 busy boys and be there as much as she can for Neil. They live in Brighton - a great wee community but also a fair distance from the hospital and the petrol costs are adding up. Life is hard enough for a young family when they have 2 incomes and both partners are fit and healthy but now they are down to one and could use a little helping hand.

Corrine Flawn's involvement (page creator)

Neil is my very first friend, we grew up and went to school together and our families have been friends for many years.

Use of funds

The funds raised will help Neil and Jodi to pay their every day household bills while Neil is unable to work and so that Jodi and the boys can spend as much time with Neil as possible. It will go towards the boys schooling and activities.

Neil is off to Christchurch 20 May 2020

Hi Team, hope you are all well and survived all the challenges lock down brought and are happy to be extending your bubbles a bit.

Tomorrow Neil begins the next stage of his journey. He is travelling to Christchurch to have his Bone Marrow transplant. His awesome younger brother Gavin he will be his donor. Even though he is not a perfect match, Gav is the best option Neil has got now that NZ borders are shut and the number of available donors have severely decreased. This is a risky procedure but is the best (and only) chance for Neil to live a cancer free, long life. Without this transplant Neil's Doctors believe his cancer will come back and because this is Neil's third battle with cancer, he has had the total amount of chemotherapy allowed for one person in his lifetime, so this is no longer an option.

Neil will have to stay in Christchurch for the next 3 months (minimum) and then he may take a year or more to recover.. this is a long and scary road for Neil, Jodi and their family and they we will need all the support they can get. It will be a long 3 months without his family as Jodi and the Boys need to stay in Dunedin for work and school. You can help by sending a positive message to them, asking them what help they need or by helping them out a bit with a financial donation. I have extended the length that this give a little page will be live for, as it was supposed to end next week but i thought that now more than ever is the time when they all need our love and support. Please share this page again (and again.. it won't hurt) donate if you are in a position to do so and keep up with the positive love and messages to Neil and Jodi. I want to really stress how thankful i am for each and every one of you. Whether you have donated $5 or $500, have cooked meals, helped out at their house, or supported Jodi with her business, your help and support means so much and it has been noticed and appreciated. I am really proud to be a kiwi, we are a caring helpful bunch of awesome people. Thank You.. take care and be safe xx

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