Please help Nicola Petrie and her family x BRAF Gene Mutation 💔

$53,947 donated

Given by 475 generous donors in one year

Histology revealed a BRAF gene mutation. Resulting in a specific need for unfunded drugs - $70k - Cetuximab/Encorafenib 💔

Dunedin, Otago

+5 images

On Monday the 22nd April 2024, Nicola and her family were given the shocking news, she had Bowel Cancer, that had spread to her liver. Within four hours, Nic, underwent surgery for five hours to remove the tumour in her bowel. Nic is currently recovering from this massive surgery.

Nic is 42 years old, with 3 young girls. They are 12, 8, and 4 years old. This has come as a huge shock, as she had very few symptoms. As we can all imagine, the next few days and months will be challenging. Andrew has written, "We don't know what the future holds for our family as yet. The next weeks are going to be long and challenging".

Funds will be allocated towards providing access to private health care (An initial consultation with a specialist at Mercy Hospital, an MRI, and any additional tests, and appointments required). Also access to complementary therapies (Massage, reiki, reflexology, integrated health, special dietary requirements, complementary treatments), and to pay any essential bills for their home.

If funds are required to go towards an unfunded treatments/drugs then we will update donors to let them know.

Our aim would be to raise funds to ease the financial pressure. And, to help the family with some things for Nic's direct benefit around the home.

Unfortunately, Nic did not have medical insurance.

Nic is one of life’s gems, she is a beautiful person, with the kindest heart. She is always so supportive and caring of others. Now is our chance to help her and her young family.

Nicky Clouston's involvement (page creator)

Nic is a dear friend of 27 years. We went to high school together.

Use of funds

The funds will be allocated towards providing access to private health care (initial consultation, MRI, any additional tests, and appointments required).

Also access to complementary therapies (such as massage, reiki, reflexology) and integrated health options to ease the burden of treatment, and to pay any essential bills for their home to support Nic.

As per the page update from 14/05/2024, funds will go towards the unfunded treatment Cetuximab Encorafenib

Latest update

An update from Nic 🌻❤️ 11 June 2025

Things have been quite stable but extremely unknown. This has meant we have learnt to live day by day, sometimes hour by hour. Hence updates felt a little futile. There wasn’t news to give other than “disease stable”. But at the end of April this changed. We enjoyed a lovely trip with the girls going to Methven, Akaroa and Christchurch. A holiday rich with memories to treasure.

Shortly after I become more nauseous and started to get liver pain. This meant three hospital visits and a drop in energy that made me reminiscent for chemo fatigue. Why was I so unwell? The race was on for the medical team to solve the mystery. The result was likely an infection in my liver and likely growth of the tumours. BRAF does not need much time to grow and these little monsters are now squeezing my bile ducts.

Unphased my oncologist decided now is the time to pull the trigger on my unfunded drugs. A wave of emotions rippled through but now we are even more positive as success stories online provide us with optimism.

Today, Tuesday 10 June, I went to Mercy Hospital (private hospital) and had my first dose of cetuximab and encorafenib, well Pam’s brand equivalent. So far the infusion is sitting well. I receive this treatment plus my public hospital chemo every two weeks and we are back to most of day infusion, but who can be mad reading, screen watching and crossword solving.

Update continued in comment section xo

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