Please help Darrell (Daz) be there for his young family

Darrell (affectionately known as Daz) is 45 years old, with two young kids aged two and four years old. In December last year Daz was diagnosed with an extremely rare and aggressive form of colon cancer. After six months of chemotherapy and severe side effects, Daz has now start targeted therapy. Daz’s oncologist has advised that chemotherapy & targeted therapy treatments available in New Zealand will not cure him but will only prolong his life. He must therefore pursue a clinical trial for ground breaking cancer drugs in the United States where costs range from $200,000 - $1,000,000, all of which will need to be self-funded. His family will be supporting Daz however other people have asked how they can help. A donation to his Give a Little page is the best way you can support Daz and his family.

Let us tell you about Daz and his cancer journey

Daz is one in a million. He is completely selfless and will always put others ahead of himself, he makes you feel welcome and looked after. He’s an incredibly positive and generous person and a big kid at heart. Daz and his lovely partner Nancy, are extremely devoted parents to their two beautiful children Maeli (four) and Indy (two). Daz is an exceptional father who enjoys teaching his young kids classic Kiwi activities like swimming; fishing, surfing and camping.

Only a few weeks before Christmas last year Daz experienced a stomach ache. He thought it might be giardia, after drinking water from a stream in the Kaimai Ranges during a hunting trip but the pain continued to increase so Daz decided to get checked by his doctor. He was referred to a specialist and a colonoscopy followed.

The results were heart breaking. Daz and his young family were given the worst possible news. There was a large tumor in his transverse colon and it wasn’t normal colon cancer, it was a very rare and extremely aggressive form called Neuroendocrine Cancer with a BRaf Mutation. He was diagnosed stage 3 and was told treatment must start immediately.

Typically, colon cancer is treated by the removal of the tumour followed by chemotherapy. Unfortunately for Daz this wasn’t an option due to the size and aggressive nature of the BRaf Mutation. The advice was to put a stent into his colon via surgery, to allow waste to pass by the tumor and then get started on Chemo ASAP. Following a very invasive operation the stent was put in place but a few days later more bad news, the stent had perforated the bowel and emergency surgery was required where he would be left with a colostomy bag. At this point things were deteriorating fast but the worst was yet to come.

Results showed that due to the emergency surgery and healing period, the cancer had spread through the colon wall and into other parts of his body and was now at stage 4.

Daz started chemotherapy combined with an intensive natural cancer-fighting programme that incorporated vitamin C therapy; an organic alkaline diet; vitamins and mineral supplements and meditation. Initially there were great results with the cancer shrinking but after six months of chemotherapy and severe side effects, chemotherapy is no longer an option so Daz will now start targeted therapy.

His oncologist has advised that the therapies available in New Zealand will not cure him but will only prolong his life and that now his only option is to pursue a clinical trial at MD Anderson in the United States. To be accepted for a clinical trial Daz must travel to the United States and costs to do this range from $200,000 to $1,000,000, all of which must be self-funded. The clinical trial will be pursued once travel restrictions are lifted and Daz is able to travel to the US.

Finances are limited for this family. Due to Daz’s current illness, he is no longer able to work for an income. Nancy is looking after Daz and their two young children full time and is therefore unable to work for an income either.

Daz deserves to see his children grow up and his children deserve to have a father in future years to come. We would be so grateful if you could please donate what you can spare, to help support Daz in finding a cure that will save his life.