Please support Frances Anderson beat her Merkel Cell Carcinoma cancer

$17,700 of $70,000 goal

Given by 101 generous donors in one year

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Please help us to fund life-saving immunotherapy drugs for Frances Anderson.

Palmerston North, Manawatu-Wanganui

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We are reaching out for help to fund life-saving treatment for our beloved Frances, who has been battling Merkel Cell Carcinoma, a rare and aggressive cancer. Frances is a much-loved mother, grandmother, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, and friend, and she means the world to all who know her.

Unfortunately, the road ahead is difficult. Frances requires Immunotherapy treatment to give her a fighting chance. The drug treatment (KEYTRUDA-Pembrolizumab) alone will cost $70,000 plus there are also additional costs of $1,000 per treatment. While this amount is daunting for anyone, it seems unachievable without community help. Frances worked for 13 years at Jenny Craig where she helped other people to enhance their lives and now, we can try to help her.

Frances has already undergone multiple surgeries and radiation for tumours found in her leg, pelvis, neck and just recently her bowel. We are hoping with immunotherapy treatment will give her a chance and beat this cancer. While the medication is funded for other cancers, it is not for Merkel Cell Carcinoma due to how rare it is.

With this page, we hope to ease the financial burden and give Frances the chance to have her body cancer free and be around for her dedicated whānau.

Any contribution, no matter the size, would be deeply appreciated.

Thank you for considering a donation to support her.

Tania Putu's involvement (page creator)

Frances is my aunty, and I want to try and ease the burden of this unfunded treatment.

Use of funds

This money will be used for immunotherapy drugs to fight Merkel Cell Carcinoma cancer which is unfunded in New Zealand. There are also additional costs for each treatment

Latest update

Update 10 September 2026

Sorry we’ve been so quiet. Things had been going really well with the immunotherapy, which meant Frances was able to have some really good quality time with family and friends.

Unfortunately, following a scheduled scan, another tumour was found in the pelvic area. It was confirmed to be Merkel cell cancer. Frances has recently had surgery to remove it and is now recovering.

She is now off Keytruda, as it is assumed that it has stopped working. The doctors are currently looking into the next treatment options, which may include another form of immunotherapy. We’re still waiting to find out exactly what the next steps will be.

As the alternative treatments are likely to come with additional costs, there will probably be more fundraising payments needed. We’ll keep you updated once the treatment options have been discussed and we know what’s ahead.

Thank you so much for all your help and support so far. It has been hugely appreciated and has made a real difference to Frances and our family. We’ll keep you posted as we know more.

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