Support Gemma in her cancer battle

In March 2025, after being admitted to hospital with bad back pain, Gemma was given the shock diagnosis of terminal pancreatic cancer.

Gemma was initially given a prognosis of 9-12 months, but as her cancer spread to peritoneal disease, this outlook was changed to 3-6 months.

In an effort to extend the time she has left, Gemma chose to start chemotherapy. Unfortunately, she has had great difficulty tolerating the chemotherapy and has been admitted to hospital numerous times as a result. Alongside her oncology team and family, Gemma has now made the decision to stop chemotherapy treatment. The focus of Gemma's care is now around symptom control.

Since her shock diagnosis, Gemma has been incredibly stoic in continuing to work at Halswell School, but has finally accepted this is no longer possible. Unfortunately, living expenses and bills do not magically go away. Her husband, Bernie, is also having to take time off work to help with medical appointments and ongoing care. In typical Gemma fashion, her main concern is her husband and three children, and the impact her illness is having on them.

This is a family who does not like to ask for help, but after some persuasion, have finally agreed to this page. Just like me, so many people have said 'I wish there was something we could do'. Together let's help ease some of the financial stress so Gemma can focus on what really matters - being together with her family.