Support Nikida's Brave Fight
Taranaki
Nikida is a solo mum, juggling the demands of work and raising her 4 children. She's always there for them, on the sideline of sports or in everyday life giving them every possible opportunity to thrive, but now it's time for us to support her.
In 2021, Nikida's life took a devasting turn after years of abdominal pain, weight loss and a constant feeling of fullness, she was diagnosed with a rare form of a ovarian cancer. Despite not fitting the typical profile, a routine ultrasound revealed a 10cm cyst on her left ovary, leading to the discovery of Stage 1a ovarian cancer.
Since her initial surgery, Nikida has remained NED. But in July 2024, everything changed. During a routine ultrasound, a mass was discovered on her left side again. Surgery in August revealed that the cancer had returned, this time with metastasis. A mass on her bladder was also discovered and removed, though it caused damage to her bladder. Due to the extent of the cancer’s spread, only a partial resection was performed.
The cancer Nikida faces is low-grade serous ovarian cancer, an incurable form with limited treatment options. Currently, she is undergoing chemotherapy as part of a trial, hoping for control over the disease and more time with her loved ones.
Unfortunately, many medical options, such as the FoundationOne Liquid CDx test, that could be helpful are not funded in New Zealand. Nikida’s doctors have encouraged her to focus on enjoying quality of life and making cherished memories with her family.
Nikida and I have been friends since childhood.
Your contribution will support unfunded medical expenses, starting with the FoundationOne Liquid CDx Test. It will also Help with daily living costs and provide opportunities for the family to enjoy quality time with Nikida, creating lasting memories.
6 infusions and relay for life, complete! 8 April 2026
A quick update to share where we are after a grueling six of our expected eight infusions.
Life has been a bit of a rollercoaster lately. After dealing with some breathing issues, we’ve had two CT scans to check for progress. The results came in, we have stable disease in the two prominent tumors, and we’ve even seen a slight reduction in the size of some lymph nodes. While the fight is far from over, "stable" is a win we are holding onto as a family.
Currently, we are focused on managing the day-to-day, using medication to keep the nausea and neuropathy pain under control. We are seeing our oncology team every four weeks to stay on top of things, and the kids and I are taking it one day at a time.
We will be back in the ring with chemo soon. Until then, the children and I are prioritizing creating memories, reminiscing on the good times, and navigating this unpredictable "new normal."
Advocating for rare cancer in this country is an uphill battle, and we couldn't do it without you. Please continue to share our story if you can, every time our journey is shared, it helps raise awareness for rare cancers and keeps our village strong.
Thank you to everyone who continues to support us through Givealittle and your messages. Your kindness keeps us going.
With love and gratitude, Kida + kids xx
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