Help John Koolaard fight his cancer, with your prayers and support we can make a difference

In September last year John was diagnosed with bowel cancer which had spread to substantially fill his liver with tumors. Over the last 6 months John has received chemotherapy, which has successfully reduced the tumor in his colon. Initially, it also reduced the tumors in the liver, however his recent CT scan has revealed that some of the liver tumors have become resistant to the original chemotherapy and started to grow again. Also, the scan indicated the likely presence of cancer in the peritoneum. The oncologists have agreed that further chemotherapy is all that can be offered at present.

There is one more chemotherapy agent available to John. It is funded by the health system in NZ, but has only a small to moderate chance of controlling the tumors. John started this course of treatment on the 12 June. There is another form of treatment available (of the ‘monoclonal antibodies’ class) that works synergistically with this chemotherapy to increase the overall effectiveness. However this treatment is not funded by the health system, so is very costly ($5000 per infusion). He plans to begin that treatment within the next few weeks.

In addition, John and Antoinette are exploring the possibility of joining a clinical trial overseas: There is a treatment agent which is showing promise. It has been developed in the USA and is at phase 2 clinical trial stage. If this agent proves to be a feasible and appropriate treatment for John’s cancer then they would like to pursue this option.

Meanwhile, the growing tumors are making their presence felt as John’s abdominal discomfort has returned after a 5 month absence.

We are appealing to anyone who may know John, Antoinette or the family, to please consider contributing to these unfunded options to give John a better opportunity at fighting the cancer and having a better quality of life.

Please keep John and his family in your prayers, and give consideration to giving a donation.