Almost there
18 November 2025Thanks so much for all the amazing donations so far- a big push still to get to $100k.
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Support Catherine Cooke to beat triple negative breast cancer (TNBC); a woman who gives so much to so many
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Oral Submission - can you please help me with sharing my Givealittle Page & Story
4 November 2025Posted by: Catherine Cooke💗 Update from me 💗
Nearly two weeks ago, I gave my oral submission to Parliament’s petition select committee. It took everything I had to prepare and deliver it. I was truly buoyed by Paulo Garcia’s kind words, thanking me for my effort and courage in putting this petition forward, and expressing that he hopes it bears fruit. Since then, I’ve been told the petition process may take up to a year — but I remain hopeful it won’t. Too many women (and men) are dying or being financially crippled trying to access life-saving, globally standard treatment that’s funded in 40+ countries, but not here. I’ve also presented along with the Breast Cancer Foundation NZ to the government the immense savings long term on health, mental health & welfare if they provided the treatment in the early stages.
Each cycle costs up to $3000 every three weeks, an insurmountable strain and a crossroad I’m now at as to whether I continue (I am short $70k), yet I’m deeply grateful for every single person who has donated or shared my story. You’ve helped give me the best chance to live and hope for a future.
Please share my givealittle page.
To anyone who’s ever felt broken by the system but still stood up - your voice matters. Change only happens when we speak, even when it shakes us. I hope this changes happens and no one knows this unimaginable hell.
Tūmanako (hope) and Tiaki (protect & care)-for our people who deserve a fighting chance. 💞
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Womans Day Advocacy - out now in this weeks' NZ edition (Prince William on the cover)
18 September 2025Posted by: Catherine CookeSome may have an opinion on my outfit in this photo. What I see is a confident, courageous woman standing tall on an uncharted battlefield, three chemo sessions in, fighting aggressive triple negative breast cancer. Captured on New Year’s Day by my dear friend’s daughter, Trinity, this moment was about celebrating life despite what lay ahead. Hours later my hair matted from chemo, and by the next day I was completely shaven. Cancer has a way of shifting perspective — from worrying about looks to embracing the raw, real me. I chose not to wear wigs but to stand as I am: alive.
This week’s Woman’s Day features my journey in a raw and beautifully written two-page piece by Sharon Stephenson. It shares my fierce advocacy for others like me — unfunded for Keytruda (a funded and standard guideline treatment for TNBC in 40 countries but not NZ).
This story was made possible through the sisterhood of women who lifted me when I needed it most. From Katie West to Bridgette Jackson and many others, strangers became strength, enabling me to deliver on my word and fundraise again for Dress for Success Auckland.
This isn’t just my story. It’s a story of women supporting women, courage in the darkest days, and hope that no one should ever walk this road alone.
💜 Please grab a copy of this week’s Woman’s Day and read the full article.
🩷 Please support the Breast Cancer Foundation NZ Pink Ribbon Walk next month.
💜 Please share my givealittle page with others. x
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Surgery (3 July 2025) update
17 September 2025Posted by: Catherine CookeOn 3 July 2025 I underwent surgery and reconstruction. Sadly I had a medical mishap with the hookwire, so don't want to even remember this day. The hookwire after insertion migrated to my chest wall and I endured pain worst that being in labour. Refer to photo of hookwire. Surgery was successful with tumour gone. I was hopeful for clearance. However on 18 July 2025 biopsies returned with further tumour cells in lymph node, blood vessel and lymphatic. Treatment continues with keytruda, radiation and chemo. I will beat this! I still need to fundraise and right now my shortfall with continued treatment (unfunded) has a gap of $80k. I'd be grateful if you could share my givealittle page to help me. Thank you x
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NZ Herald Story
17 September 2025Posted by: Catherine CookeI am a little behind on my updates but that doesn't mean the mahi (work) is not being done in advocacy by me. On 28 June 2025 my story went from inside the NZ Herald on 27 June 2025 to front page of the weekend herald with the only fit for purpose title 'We're denied a fighting chance'. Read here: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/auckland-woman-paying-85k-for-cancer-treatment-petitions-government-for-funding/XC4M2JVIINDWTFO2QCJC6SGB6M/
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Submission
17 September 2025Posted by: Catherine CookeOn 1 August 2025 I presented my submission for my petition to parliament. Some of what I wrote is below.
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A Clear Path Forward
This isn’t about creating a new treatment. The science is clear. The experts have recommended it. The public supports it. The patients desperately need it.
I have dedicated my life to helping others. Now I ask for your help—not just for me, but for every New Zealander living with early-stage TNBC. Let’s turn this from a fight for survival into a fight for equity and progress.
On behalf of 17,096 New Zealanders, we ask Parliament to:
1. Substantially increase New Zealand’s medicines budget, and make it entirely separate to Health NZ’s budget, and change the approach to medicines access to ensure kiwis get access to the medicines they need immediately and as treatments advance & health conditions evolve.
2. Immediately fund Keytruda for early-stage TNBC, in line with Pharmac’s own advisory committee recommendation.
3. Adopt Keytruda as a standard treatment guideline for early-stage TNBC.
4. Publicly clarify with immediate effect what current funding for Keytruda for each cancer covers and what is uncovered. For example, the public were led to believe ‘Keytruda was not a funded drug’ - that all stages of TNBC were covered which is not true. By having clear and accurate messaging in your press releases you will reduce confusion and restore public trust.
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Petition
17 September 2025Posted by: Catherine CookeI don't know where the time goes but here I am writing a very outdated update. I presented my petition with an overwhelming 17,096 signatures to Nancy Lu, MP on 27 June 2025, less than a week before I went to surgery. As a proud New Zealander I am fighting in the vein we are known and that is for standing up for what’s right, backing the underdog, for valuing fairness, and for fighting together when it matters most. Having early stage triple negative is one of those moments. Funding Keytruda for early-stage triple negative breast cancer is not just a medical decision that is a standard guideline of care & funded in 40 other countries, it’s a reflection of the kind of country we want to be. New Zealand should be a place where access to life-saving treatment should not be determined by your bank balance, but by your need. The positive ripple effects of funding would be felt far beyond the patient. It will ease the emotional and financial burden on families, strengthen our communities, reduce pressure on our stretched healthcare system, and allow more Kiwis to return to work, to whānau, and to life. I am fighting for future generations to look back and see this as the turning point, where we chose courage over complacency, and compassion over cost. To give every Kiwi facing TNBC a fair chance, not just to survive, but to thrive. My petition was presented on 15 July 2025 to parliament:
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Extended Goal Date
12 September 2025The journey continues unfortunately with yet more treatment required.
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Next Round of Treatment
27 July 2025 -
Advocating my petition on TVNZ Breakfast
24 July 2025Posted by: Catherine CookeWhy I’m Fighting for This
My name is Catherine Cooke. I’m 53, a mother, a friend, and a trusted business advisor to Kiwi business owners. On 6 November 2024, a routine mammogram led to a diagnosis of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC)—a rare, aggressive cancer. Overnight, I was not only fighting for my life, but also against a funding system that denies early-stage TNBC patients access to Keytruda.
Keytruda significantly reduces recurrence and improves survival. Yet in New Zealand, it remains unfunded for early-stage TNBC. Patients like me are left to either take on $85,000–$110,000 in debt or go without. For many, this is emotionally and financially devastating.
Pharmac’s own advisors recommended funding in 2023, and global trials confirmed its life-saving impact in 2024. Still, no decision has been made. Meanwhile, we risk progressing to incurable cancer.
This is about more than me. It's about:
✅ Preventing higher healthcare costs from late-stage cancer
✅ Reducing pressure on mental health and welfare systems
✅ Keeping patients in the workforce
✅ Combating misinformation—early-stage TNBC is not funded
We call on Parliament to:
-Fund Keytruda for early-stage TNBC immediately
-Include it in standard treatment guidelines
-Clarify that current funding only covers advanced TNBC
Help us turn this fight for survival into a fight for equity. On behalf of 17,096 New Zealanders—I am pushing this petition presented to parliament by Nancy Lu, MP on my behalf.
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My Pink Ribbon Brunch held at Allely Estate
2 April 2025Posted by: Catherine CookeThe Pink Ribbon Brunch I held at Allely Estate was more than just a gathering—it was a powerful show of community spirit, generosity, and the shared commitment to fighting breast cancer. Guests came together to enjoy a beautiful morning filled with heartfelt stories, delicious food, and a strong sense of purpose, all in support of the New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation. The event highlighted the impact on many others likes me, that collective efforts can help so many, from raising crucial funds to spreading awareness and offering support to those affected.
A truly unforgettable moment for me was coming face to face with my $50,000 givealittle donor at the brunch. It was a surreal and deeply moving experience to personally meet the individual whose generosity had such a profound impact on our fundraising efforts. Standing there in shock, expressing my gratitude, I was reminded of the power of giving—how one act of kindness can ripple through a community, offering someone like me hope. I promised to continue making a real difference in the lives of so many through my advocacy. You can continue to donate to Catherine's Pink Ribbon Brunch for the Breast Cancer Foundation NZ here: https://fundraise.bcf.org.nz/fundraisers/PinkRibbonBrunchwithCatherineCookeatAllelyEstate/pinkribbonbreakfast
The BLOG for this event is here: https://www.allelyestate.co.nz/pink-ribbon-brunch-at-allely-estate-a-community-united-in-the-fight-against-breast-cancer/
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Thank you, thank you, thank you.
1 March 2025Posted by: Catherine CookeI am absolutely overwhelmed by the generosity that has been shown to me through my Givealittle page. To every single person who has donated—thank you from the bottom of my heart.
But I have to take a moment to acknowledge one donor in particular. To the incredibly kind soul who gave $50,000… you have rendered me speechless. I am still in shock at the magnitude of your generosity. You have given me not just financial support but hope—hope that I will continue this fight, not just for myself, but for so many others like me.
Going public with my journey has never been about me alone. It has been about raising awareness for all of us who are battling triple-negative breast cancer, forced to self-fund the life-saving drug we need to survive. The injustice of being penalised for having early stage cancer rather than advanced, or simply for not having the financial means, is something no one should have to endure. And yet, so many of us do.
To everyone who has donated—whether it’s $5, $50, or more—you are making a difference. Your kindness fuels not just my fight but the fight for better access to treatment for all.
And I have one plea. If you are able, please look up others on Givealittle who, like me, are battling triple-negative breast cancer. Extend your generosity to them as well. Give them the same hope you have given me. Because no one should have to put a price tag on life.
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Thank you
28 February 2025Posted by: Catherine CookeI've never asked for help from anyone. Your care and humility to me has brought me to tears. I remain relentless in my crusade to have this funded for others - the travesty of this situation is wrong. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Catherine x
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