I have terminal cancer and 4 children. Very little time left now. I have so much I must do before I go. Please ease our journey.

$24,634 of $30,000 goal
Given by 276 generous donors in around 3 months

I have cancer and can’t work but my wife can if we can keep our two little boys in daycare.

Hillcrest, Auckland

I’m Simon and I was diagnosed with Grade 3 Stage 4 Neuroendocrine cancer late August of this year. It’s as bad as it gets. A large tumour was blocking my upper intestine starving me to death. Drs tell me it is going to kill me. I might get lucky, I might not. I just want to get well, get back to teaching and watch my children grow up, but it’s going to take a miracle. I had a massive bowel operation early September. I’m still slowly healing from that. I can’t return to work so that income stream has vanished, but expenses remain the same.

I have two adult daughters from a previous relationship and two little boys 2 and 4 with Helena, a full-time professional working from home. She is somehow keeping it together.

My wife is from abroad and my parents are aged, we have no support. Daycare costs about $550-00 per week. It is critical my little boys can remain in daycare for so many excellent reasons. They love it, they learn so much, it provides some normalcy for them…and means my wife can remain employed.

The financial stress on top of this daily rolling horror is dreadful.

I need to leave my house finished, family secure…and finance specialised cancer treatment. I worry about the well-being of my wife and the happiness of my little boys and I’d dearly love to enjoy some fun family time before I go.

Your help makes a huge difference.

Take care of yourselves and each other and remember life isn’t forever. Forgive those you need to, be kind and show your love freely.

Simon

Use of funds

Daycare and children’s needs.

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Latest update

Seeking help to fund private treatment…the chemo will kill me if the cancer doesn’t.   28 October 2025

My chemo started 3 weeks ago and has had the desired effect. I have chemo cycles for the next 16 weeks then monitoring every 3 months. It may be possible to restart chemo when the cancer surges again, and maybe again if I can stay strong enough…but its a race that can’t be won.

There are some very exciting integrative treatments that are meeting with success but they are, or can be, extremely expensive. I must attempt some these treatments after much research. To not do so is simply to wait for the end. I have two little boys who need a daddy, grandchildren to meet, my wife to love decades longer. Please help keep the hope of a cure alive for us. Your value of your support is impossible to overstate. Many thanks to you all. Live and love well!

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Latest donations

Guest Donor
Guest Donor 7 days ago
Ki kaha Simon and family! Wishing you strength and health for Christmas.
$50
Guest Donor
Guest Donor on 06 Dec 2025
$30
Guest Donor
Guest Donor on 06 Dec 2025
$50
Aline
Aline on 06 Dec 2025
$200
Guest Donor
Guest Donor on 06 Dec 2025
Kia kaha, Simon. Lots of aroha towards you and you family.
$50

Who's involved?

Simon Butcher's avatar
Created by Simon Butcher
Helena Rodrigues's avatar
Paying to a verified bank account of Helena Rodrigues
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This campaign started on 5 Sep 2025 and ends on 5 Mar 2026.