Please help Sophie and her family by donating towards the cost of groundbreaking CAR-T cancer treatment in Singapore
Christchurch, Canterbury
Our wonderful friend Sophie has been fighting Peripheral T-Cell Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma (PTCL), a rare blood cancer that affects less than 4% of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma sufferers. A bruised rib sent Sophie to her GP in August 2023, and on the 12th of September, she was told she had cancer.
Since then, Sophie has had 10+ rounds of chemotherapy and two stem cell transplants, including one from a donor. Unfortunately, due to the aggressiveness of her Lymphoma, her cancer relapsed in August 2024.
Sophie's best option is a ground-breaking CAR-T cell therapy offered at the National University Hospital of Singapore. This treatment has been very successful in achieving remission for other blood cancer sufferers, however Soph and Koryn have been quoted $500,000 USD (approx. $880,000 NZD) for treatment, requiring up to a 6-month stay.
Sophie, 29, has dedicated her life to serving others. She is currently a Detective Constable in Christchurch. Her partner Koryn is also a Police Officer, and together they have given over 22 years of public service.
In the face of this unexpected diagnosis, Sophie has approached it with incredible determination and grace. From specialists to hospital cleaners, she thanks everyone with her beautiful smile and kind eyes—even on her toughest days.
If you know Koryn and Sophie, you’ll know they’re not ones to ask for help. Sharing this page is a big step for them. This is the toughest fight yet for Soph and her family. Funds will go towards the treatment regardless of whether the goal is reached. Every dollar helps, and they’re beyond grateful for any support you can give.
I've been a close friend of Sophie's Fiancée Koryn for over 30 years
All funds raised will be used to fund Sophie's CAR-T cell therapy at the National University Hospital of Singapore and any other expenses that come with receiving overseas treatment
Long time, no update! 14 April 2025
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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