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Sophie’s Singapore Lifeline

  • Mission Singapore Complete

      3 September 2025

    We have an exciting update to give you! After a 4 month long stay in Singapore, we are finally home! The best news? SOPHIE IS IN REMISSION!!

    The results of her PET-CT scan from late August showed she has had a complete metabolic response to the treatments provided in Singapore.

    It has been a heck of a journey, with a whole lot of ups and probably twice as many downs, but nearly 2 years to the day after being diagnosed with this terrible disease, Sophie has finally achieved a confirmed remission.

    Sophie still has a long journey ahead. She still needs another donor stem cell transplant which is not for the faint hearted and comes with many risks. Thankfully, this can be completed in Christchurch.

    Since being home, Sophie has had multiple trips back to Christchurch hospital with infections picked up in Singapore and other complications, however she is as positive as ever and ready to tackle the next challenge.

    To everyone who shared our story, donated money, were a shoulder for us to cry on, laughed at our on-screen debuts or just talked us through some really hard moments, we are eternally grateful to you. We simply would not be here without you.

    Here's to the next challenge.

    Sophie and Koryn xx

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    • 03/10/2025 by Lilian

      Great news! Thanks for the update.

  • Still here!

      15 August 2025

    Kia ora everyone,

    Now that the page has closed, Sophie and Koryn just wanted to say thank you again to every single person that donated and shared Sophie's fundraising page.

    Without your help, this journey would surely have been impossible and Sophie and Koryn would likely have been facing a very different future to the one they are facing now.

    The latest news from Singapore is positive. A lot has happened in the past month, with a lot of snakes and ladders. Sophie completed 24 rounds of radiation to the masses on her spine and sternum.

    She also had genetic testing completed on her sternum tumour, which revealed which pesky gene is responsible for the lymphoma! This has been extremely helpful to the medical team in discussing which treatments available in Singapore would be most helpful to Sophie.

    Her liver has been playing up which was subsequently biopsied and revealed graft-versus-host-disease. It is on the mend, and Soph has been able to start two new oral drugs, intended to kill the last of her cancer and keep it at bay until she has another stem-cell transplant in New Zealand.

    On that note, if you are aged between 18-35 and you live in New Zealand, please consider registering for the New Zealand Bone Marrow Donor Registry. You could make a genuine life saving change in someone's life.

    Sophie will get a PET-CT scan in a couple of weeks to see if the latest treatments have been effective and Sophie, Koryn and Simon can return home!

    Love to you all xxx

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  • A game of Snakes and Ladders

      2 July 2025

    Hey there everyone!

    As you know, Sophie received her CAR-T cells in late May and was in a monitoring period while we waited to see if they did their thing. The good news is, they did. Sophie had a PET-CT scan on the 19th of June, which confirmed that the CAR-T cells had worked and had gobbled up a good amount of Lymphoma in Sophie's body. However, we received the news that two new tumours had grown, one on Sophie's lower spine, and one on her sternum.

    This obviously was not the news we were hoping for, however we are grateful that the CAR-T did work and has somewhat 'consolidated' the cancer.

    We have been advised to stay in Singapore so that Sophie can receive further treatment including drugs we cannot access at home, as well as 12 rounds of radiation which began this week.

    The plan from here is to get Sophie into remission so we can return to New Zealand and she can have another stem cell transplant.

    Some fellow patients we met in the chemo suite at Christchurch Hospital once said that fighting cancer is like playing a game of snakes and ladders. Sometimes you hit a snake, end up with a few setbacks, and drop back a few places on the board. Sometimes you land on a ladder that boosts you up a few places closer to the finish line.

    We are hoping for a few more ladders and a few less snakes from here on out!

    Thank you again to everyone that has donated and supported us. Sophie could not have received this treatment without you.

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    • 04/07/2025 by Sue

      Here’s for heaps of those strong ladders and less of those slippery snakes. Sending heaps of hugs and positive thoughts xx

  • Update from Singapore

      1 June 2025
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    Hello everyone, Koryn and Sophie here!

    What a whirlwind the past four months have been. From finding out that Sophie had been accepted to receive the treatment in Singapore, to fund-raising the money to get here, and now to finally receiving these incredible CAR-T cells.

    Words truly cannot express how grateful we are to each and every one of you for donating, sharing and wishing us well on this journey. The support, love and encouragement we have received has truly kept us going through every hiccup along the way.

    Nine days ago, Sophie received her CAR-T infusion. We are in the middle of a 2-3 week intensive monitoring period where Sophie has been experiencing mild  side effects as a result of the pre-infusion chemotherapy and CAR-T infusion. Fingers crossed these remain mild.

    We are so grateful to the medical professionals both in New Zealand and Singapore who have supported us every step of the way and made this journey possible.

    Thank you again to everyone.

    Sophie and Koryn

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  • Take two!

      8 May 2025

    After a bit of a false start, the girls are off! Tomorrow, Koryn and Sophie will fly north to spend time with Soph's Auckland-based family before heading to Singapore on Monday.

    Over the past couple of weeks, Sophie has completed five rounds of radiation. This treatment has put her in a place where her doctors are happy for her to receive CAR-T cell therapy — the best news ever! In classic Sophie fashion, she's just keen to get over there and get started. Thank you again from the bottom of our hearts for everyone who has donated, shared and kept Sophie in their thoughts. Next update will be from Singapore <3

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  • Long time, no update!

      14 April 2025
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    Sophie and Koryn were all set to fly to Singapore today, ready for the next big step in treatment. But after her latest PET scan, we’ve unfortunately had to hit pause—there’s still too much lymphoma in Soph’s body right now for her to move forward with receiving the re-engineered cells.

    It’s definitely not the news any of us were hoping for. But Plan B is already in motion: Sophie will begin five rounds of radiation here in Christchurch over the next few weeks to help bring things back under control and keep Plan A on track. The CAR-T cells are still on schedule to be ready at the end of April, and the plan remains to be there to receive them.

    It’s one of those real “bump in the road” moments—but, as always, Sophie is meeting it with her signature positivity and a smile. 💕

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  • Update on Sophie’s progress

      20 March 2025
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    We’ve had lots of people reaching out to ask how Sophie is doing, so here’s a bit of an update. Unfortunately early Monday morning Sophie ended up in ED with chest pain. Long story short the immunotherapy that Soph is currently receiving caused a reaction, resulting in inflammation of the heart muscle. She spent a few of nights in the cardiology unit at Christchurch hospital under observation, also receiving visits from their wonderful haematologist Dr Sean MacPherson, as some new lymphoma nodules were also found in a CT scan. The new nodules are now being attacked with high dose steroids and immunomodulating drugs. Koryn and Soph went home today and are enjoying being back in their own space recovering from this set back ❤️‍🩹 We also want to say a massive thank you to everyone who came and supported Sophie at Moon Under Water last weekend. We sold the keg out in a record 20 minutes, which is truly unreal. The response to the humble meat raffle was also incredible, a big shout out in particular to both Nick and The Pierce family for their overwhelming generosity! It was so heartwarming to see so many smiling faces and meet all of you who are in Sophie and Koryn’s corner. Your support means the world to us. Now, the girls are just waiting for that golden ticket—an email from Singapore giving them the green light to book flights and head back for the main event!

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  • Debut on the small screen!

      11 March 2025
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    This morning, Koryn and Sophie were featured on Breakfast! You can watch the interview directly at the link below. It’s truly inspiring to see how happy and positive these incredible women remain, even when facing something that would challenge so many.

    A huge shoutout to family friend Karen Bellew, who spoke beautifully about how Sophie’s hometown of Gore is rallying together for another amazing fundraiser this week—Singing it for Sophie!

    And don’t forget, our Karma Keg event is happening this Saturday at Moon Under Water from 3-5 pm. We’d love to see some friendly faces there—come along and be part of something special!

    Again, we are absolutely blown away by the generosity and support shown so far—thank you all so much! This incredible success is a true testament to Soph’s character, her kindness, and the impact she has on everyone around her. None of this would be possible without her spirit bringing people together. Let’s keep the momentum going <3

    https://www.1news.co.nz/2025/03/11/policewoman-battling-rare-cancer-community-helps-fundraising-effort/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaZ4W-WRrLg8JoKpnYtQQfzozjQfeuNGoC0UJTj39-N2JioNGGt5VHFUYf8_aem_JKrtKolPwutSuKGPr61uPg

    https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/singing-it-for-sophie-tickets-1255900023779

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    • 19/03/2025 by Tenaya

      Hi Sophie and Koryn, I would love to introduce myself as a Specialist Cancer Navigator at Rare Cancers Australia. I saw your story and I wanted to ask if you have explored CAR T therapy options in Australia? We support many patients who are accessing this treatment at no cost through the Gilead Program and would love to support you to access this. Please feel free to reach out and email me at tenaya.wright@rarecancers.org.au - we are here to support you however we can. Best wishes, Tenaya https://www.rarecancers.org.au/

  • The latest

      4 March 2025
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    A bit of an update now that the dust has settled from the whirlwind Singapore trip!

    Over the next two months, Soph will receive bridging treatment to keep her cancer under control until the CAR-T cell therapy can go ahead back in Singapore. Unfortunately, this treatment is also unfunded in New Zealand and costs a staggering $18,502 per dose. Koryn and Sophie have to cover this cost on top of the funding needed for the next stage of treatment in Singapore.

    Please, please, please continue to share and donate when you can! If you have any friends in the media who might be able to help, please reach out to me via the questions function.

    For anyone in Christchurch, The Moon Under Water is helping us out with a Karma Keg on Saturday, March 15th. Come down between 3–5 PM, and every cent of the karma koha you pay for a pint of delicious Three Boys beer will go directly into Soph’s pocket and towards her treatment. ❤️ We would absolutely love to see you there!

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  • Harvest day!

      20 February 2025
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    Yesterday, we received the great news that Sophie’s test results showed the scheduled lymphocyte harvest (leukapheresis) could go ahead!

    Right now, Soph is hooked up to the machine that’s taking her T-cells out and returning her blood to her body. I’ve been told that, even though she has to stay like this for 6 hours, she is, in fact, smiling under her mask 😂

    The girls will be back home over the weekend, and Soph will need to receive two months of unfunded bridging treatment while her T-cells are genetically engineered in the lab in Singapore to better recognize and attack her cancer cells.

    The leukapheresis is such an exciting and promising step in Sophie’s journey, and we want to thank everyone who continues to share and donate ♥️

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    • 21/02/2025 by Clare

      Wonderful news, thank you Monica and whanau - continuing to send all warm thoughts to Sophie and all.....

  • First days in Singapore

      14 February 2025
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    Sophie and Koryn made it to Singapore on Wednesday night and were at the National University Hospital the very next morning. Sophie met her new Consultant Haematologist, Dr Esther Chan, and had a series of tests. One of the tests was a bone marrow aspirate (BMA), which involved taking fluid and bone marrow from an area above the hip. Koryn said "Sophie handled the BMA like an absolute champion, her first ever and only using local anaesthetic". They paid their first bill, a wild $6500 NZD (just for the BMA). Now comes the wait for results which should be back on Monday/Tuesday, to confirm that everything is good to go for the lymphocyte harvest (leukapheresis) booked in for next Thursday. Sophie and Koryn want to express their gratitude to everyone that has donated, "$150,000 in one week is mind blowing to us and will make an incredible difference in our lives and our ability to get Sophie the treatment she desperately needs. Thank you from our very full hearts".

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  • And they're off!

      12 February 2025
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    Super excited to say that this morning Sophie and Koryn departed for Singapore!

    They are heading over for 10 days to meet the team at the National University Hospital of Singapore, where Soph will have a biopsy to confirm the nature of her cancer and then leukapheresis to extract the cells that will be re-engineered in the laboratory. This is just step one, but we're all feeling very hopeful. Every single donation and message of support means so much, we ask you to please keep sharing the page far and wide so Sophies story spreads far accross the motu (and world!)!

    https://www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/360577192/just-immense-kindness-nz-constable-singapore-potential-lifesaving-cancer-treatment?fbclid=IwY2xjawIYwkhleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHfk6KQUPADCYMiLI07RYJr02Exj_ppmQeiiESD_HcMaczOIcLDImpe2x4A_aem_QBjhf23UzdPoZSae6IoUtw

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    • 12/02/2025 by Karen

      Sending you all the good vibes from Gore Sophie xx

  • An update from Koryn and Sophie

      9 February 2025
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    Soph and Koryn can't believe that the givealittle has exceeded $100,000, or 20% of their goal. Their latest update is that Sophie will have leukapheresis (cell extraction) on the 17th or 20th of Feb, meaning they are leaving NZ next weekend!

    For full transparency, they have been quoted:

    $70,000 USD for a consultation, biopsy and leukapheresis

    $400,000 USD for the CAR-T treatment

    $5,000 USD per month for accomodation for Sophie and one caregiver.

    With your help, they have enough money to pay for part one of their journey, and will continue to fundraise to help towards part two.

    They are using all of their savings and also exploring options to withdraw their Police Superannuation and re-finance or sell their home.

    They are overwhelmed by the generous support of so many kiwis and have very full hearts. ♥️

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    • 12/02/2025 by Chris

      Dear Sophie my daughter was treated NUH for leukemia by the amazing Professor Thomas Quah.You are in wonderful hands there and will get the best treatment.My daughter has finished university and living her best life.I wish you strength through out your journey.xx

  • Overwhelmed and humbled

      7 February 2025

    Koryn, Sophie and their families want me to share how overwhelmed and humbled they are by everyone’s generosity ❤️ We truly can’t believe how many people have taken the time to donate, share and reach out with messages of support. We still have a long way to go so please share Sophie’s story as much as possible, social media truly is an incredible tool!

    A little more about Sophie’s diagnosis and life over the past 18 months is in the article below.

    Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts!

    https://www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/360573552/christchurch-police-officer-fighting-raise-900k-last-chance-cancer-treatment

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