RIP Our Warrior

Update 4/7***************

We are sad to advise that Shaun's courageous battle with cancer ended on the 26th April, when he passed away peacefully. Rest In Peace our warrior.

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Kia Ora Koutou,

My name is Shaun Barns. I am 43 years old, living in Auckland, ​ N ew ​ Zealand. First and foremost I am a passionate and proud family man, with two incredible children (Bryahna, 15 years old and Trae, 12 years old) and my wife Susie, who is a Logistics Officer in the Royal New Zealand Air Force. In general, we were a typical kiwi family, juggling busy and fulfilling careers with sporting children who we love to support in all new endeavours.

In June of 2017, my wife Susie was one month into a six month overseas deployment. This left me as a solo Dad, juggling work and kids. On her departure, my health wasn’t the best. We put it down to a lingering cold and the stress of Susie’s departure – all adding to fatigue and ongoing ‘flu-like symptoms’. However, following a biopsy on a lump in my throat (we thought/hoped it was a swollen gland), we received our worst fear, a cancer diagnosis. The doctors advised me that it was aggressive and had metastasised to other parts of my head/neck area. I have p16 positive squamous carcinoma the primary tumour was quite large in behind my nose and several tumours had metastasised to both the top of my spine (fracturing vertebrae) and around my brain.

After an extensive period of chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment which ended 14 Nov 17 we were so positive that we had ‘knocked the buggar off’, with Susie returning to work my job was to rest, recuperate and look forward to returning to work myself in February 2018. However, one week later, I began to notice pain and numbness on the left hand side of my lower body. After an urgent MRI scan, my radiation oncologist advised us that unfortunately, the cancer had spread onto my lower spine and the pain I was experiencing was due to a tumour pushing against a nerve - I required further radiation therapy. Following a more in depth PET scan, we also discovered that whilst the cancer in my head/neck area was now under control (CLEAR!), the cancer has also spread to my liver. At this point, my employer and I agreed that taking leave without pay was the best course of action for both parties, given the uncertainty ahead.

Fast forward to today and the reason we're reaching out, I have now commenced a new 6 month chemotherapy regime, which also involves a new targeted drug called ‘cetixumab’. This drug is only available through the private health system in New Zealand and is unfortunately not funded and will equate to a personal cost of approximately ​ $50K ​ NZD. On top of this, recent scans have revealed I now have leptomeningeal carcinomatosis which is extremely rare, but means my cancer has now spread to the membranes/fluid surrounding my brain and spinal cord. This means I now face another radiation treatment regime in addition to more chemotherapy.

On behalf of my family and I, we are extremely appreciative of your consideration. Any donation will reduce the ongoing financial burden on my family during what is already a stressful and difficult time for them.

An overview of my treatment regime and the wonderful side effects that have c ​o​ me with it... 😕