Support Irene while she fights leukaemia

Hi all, I just wanted to take a moment to stop, take a breath, and reflect on what has been a roller coaster ride over the past 6 weeks in Waikato Hospital with my Wife Irene having been suddenly diagnosed with Leukaemia, and more importantly a chance to say thanks.

I can honestly say it has been and will continue to be a very challenging time and if it wasn’t for all the kind words, checking in, thoughts, and well wishes from so many of you, this clearly would have been a different road.

We can’t thank you all enough for the generosity and support, and with A bone marrow transplant in Auckland still on the list of things to complete in the coming months the give a little page contributions will most definitely help us get through that phase.

We have found homes for our 3 kids amongst family and friends, the older 2 settling in well at their new schools for the next while.

Irene has responded well to the first cycle of treatment, and a sigh of relief now knowing her brother Robbie has been identified as a match for her transplant means she can really focus now on getting to the end of her second phase of treatment. In every negative there is a positive and that is 2 positives she is grabbing with both hands.

28 days of treatment will take her through to the middle of June, then it’s a bone marrow test, wait for results and prepare for 2-3 months in Auckland.

· As tough as this all is to watch, somehow this experience teaches you to draw down on things you have learnt through life, to get you and others through “the rough” as they say.

· The best medicine so far has been time with kids…Hands down.. ( as amazing as those doctors and nurses are)

· The most amazing thing so far has been watching my wife’s strength to beat the unknown, our kids resilience to change, and the all-important support from caring people.

Kindness, compassion, and outright generosity has pulled us through what we are calling Round#1 of a few, we honestly can’t thank you all enough for supporting our family through these tough times.

Whakawhetai hoki koutou tautoko

Warmest Regards Marcus, Irene, and the Prestney Family

We have changed the target amount to an open amount as the family will need all the support they can get for an extended time and also extended the time this page will be open and available for donations. Thanks you for all your support.

Regards Rochelle

(Close friend to the family)