Support Marcus Flintoff and his family to fight brain cancer
Support Marcus to receive treatment for his malignant brain tumour that is not yet available in New Zealand.
Manawatu / Whanganui
Marcus is a much-loved husband, son, brother, friend and favourite uncle to 10 nieces and nephews. Marcus has a kind heart and a love of animals. He is a veterinary nursing tutor and passionate about teaching young people. In February, Marcus was diagnosed with a large brain tumour after having two seizures. Marcus is 31 and very health-conscious, so this came as a devastating shock to him, his wife Kara, family, and friends.
Marcus's tumour is a malignant Anaplastic Astrocytoma; he has been told it is incurable and that funded treatment in NZ is to give him as much time as possible. Marcus bravely endured a 7-hour surgery to remove most of the tumour, but suffered from a complication and woke up unable to speak or move his left side. He spent 8 weeks in rehabilitation learning how to walk again. Marcus also had 6 weeks of daily brain radiation and is currently having chemotherapy, as well as integrative therapies. We are all so proud of Marcus's determination and positive mindset in the face of immense difficulty.
The limited options in NZ have led Marcus and Kara to research international treatments - they choose to accept the diagnosis, not the prognosis. The most promising treatment currently available is Dendritic Cell Vaccine Immunotherapy, which is available privately in Germany. This treatment targets multiple genetic mutations on Marcus's tumour, which teaches the immune cells to recognise and kill the cancer cells. The treatment will cost $16,000 NZD for the initial tumour genetic testing to confirm whether Marcus is a candidate for the therapy, then a further $80,000 NZD for the treatment. This does not include travel costs. We will be holding local fundraising events over the next 6 months to raise funds to go towards this treatment.
Marcus and Kara are determined to do everything they can to restore Marcus's health. Sharing this page would be gratefully appreciated. Thank you so much to everyone who has donated, and everyone who has supported Marcus and Kara on this difficult journey in any way.
Sandy Craw's involvement (page creator)
I am Marcus's sister-in-law. I consider Marcus my brother and I created this page to help raise funds for him to receive private treatment in Germany.
Use of funds
Funds raised will be used to send Marcus' tumour tissue to CeGat laboratory for full genetic testing, then for Marcus to receive treatment in Germany. Any additional funds, will be used towards Marcus' complementary therapies: IV Vitamin C infusions, Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy, Supplements as recommended by Dr Tim Ewer, etc.
If Marcus is not eligible for treatment in Germany, funds will still be used towards the complementary therapies.
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Latest update
1 May Update - Written by Kara 19 June 2021
It's been exactly 3 months since Marcus was diagnosed with a brain tumour and life suddenly flipped upside down for us. So much has changed in our lives and our direction, but we feel like we are just beginning to find our feet on this journey we have to take.
Marcus is almost finished with Phase 1 of his treatment (6 weeks of radiation and oral chemotherapy). This has been an absolutely gruelling time and the last few weeks have been the hardest as the side effects of brain radiation take their toll; extreme fatigue, hair loss, constant headaches, nausea, and tremors in his left hand and foot. Marcus is currently on a course of steroids to help reduce the brain swelling that radiation causes. We are both so glad for radiation to finish this week and for the 4 week reprieve before starting Phase 2 (6 rounds of high dose oral chemotherapy).
Despite the extreme fatigue and nausea, as well as dealing with a prolapsed spinal disc and interspinous oedema, Marcus pushes through with determination to continue his rehab. We know that neuroplasticity (the brain's potential to rewire and relearn) is highest in the first 3-6 months after an acquired brain injury, so the more rehab he can do now, the better his physical recovery will be. It has been so inspiring to witness his hard work and improvement. We are thankful to everyone on our team helping Marcus: his oncology team, physio and OT, orthopedic specialist, nutritionist and herbalist Patrice, and acupuncturist Matthew at PrimeCare Acupuncture Clinic.
Marcus has been home for about 4 weeks which makes life so much better for us both. There are difficulties to overcome with the house and his mobility, and things have been absolutely hectic, but Marcus is so much happier at home with me and our fur-family. Thank you to the wonderful friends and family who have visited us, driven Marcus to radiation to give me a break, brought baking and meals over during the weeks we had 5 appointments a day, dropped off cards, and gifted Marcus activities to do, which have been awesome rehabilitation exercises and much more fun than physio! We love and appreciate you so much and it's been lovely having some friendships blossom during the hardest of times.
May is Brain Cancer Awareness Month, hence the hashtag #GoGreyInMay. We were only vaguely aware of brain cancer and its devastating impacts before it hit us like a freight train. Over this month, we will be posting more about brain cancer, Marcus's tumour, and potential treatments, in the hope of creating more awareness of what it means to be living with a brain tumour. 🧠🎗
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