Our friend Jen - stage 4 breast cancer treatment for a single Mum and wildlife advocate.

$41,447 of $150,000 goal

Given by 214 generous donors in around 7 months

Fundraising for non-subsidised life lengthening treatment a wonderful friend and Mum. All funds are converted to NZD upon donation.

Nelson

+3 images

Last year, we celebrated Jen getting the all clear from a shocking breast cancer diagnosis. This year, Jen discovered that she now has stage 4 metastatic breast cancer, with secondary growths in her hip, lymph nodes, and chest wall.

Recently, after a trip back home to see her family in the states, Jen went back to hospital for some scans, and although her cancer has not spread - her chest tumour has grown. Unfortunately this means she must now begin a very expensive non subsidised treatment. approximately $150,000 is needed for this option.

Jen is a single mother, with family over the other side of the world in the states. We, her village, need to support her through her treatment and to provide legacy care for her boys.

This is a hand no one should ever be dealt, and as Jen begins her life lengthening treatment, she is immediately met with hurdles - hospital stays, infections, and reactions to medications. There are so many unknowns, but one thing we can do is help create funds to provide her some financial relief for her treatment, and to support Noah and Logan, her wonderful young boys to enjoy those moments and make beautiful memories with their gorgeous Mum.

Emma Matthews' involvement (page creator)

Jen is my friend. Our children have grown up together in Nelson, New Zealand.

Use of funds

Making lasting memories, making Jens home comfortable, cost of living travel costs and care for Jen, Logan, and Noah

First dose of Trodelvy chemo done! 2 September 2026

Posted by: Jen Germano

Thank you all from the very bottom of my heart. I've been absolutely blown away by all the generosity from family, friends and people I don't even know to try this new chemo drug Trodelvy sacituzumab govitocan in the private hospital to hopefully buy extra time to stay alive!

Thank you for all the messages - on Give a Little, Facebook, email and text. I may not have responded to each of you but I have read them all and I feel so loved.

These last few weeks have been so busy and such a mix of emotions. Radiation treatment and tests in Christchurch hospital. Friends helping me tidy up my garden and orchard and swap seeds for spring. Beautiful paddles with my good friend Moira - seals playing right around our SUPs. Time with the boys to bake, get Logan sorted with a "new" used MTB for his birthday, enrolling Noah for college/high school, a concert with kids before I have to avoid crowds when I'm immunocompromised, time with friends...all the things that fill my bucket and make me happy and balance the stress of heading back into treatment.

Today I started. Dose one finished. Sad to leave the amazing staff, familiarity of place and routines at public hospital. But St George's is lovely. The nurses are so sweet and the sandwiches are much better there 😂 From the chemo chairs, I can see trees and mountains in the distance.

Now I just have to hope that the ten pills I took this morning is enough to keep the chemo side effects to a minimum 🤞🏻😊 💕

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