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Supporting Evelyn Through Her Cancer Treatment

  • TimeOut NZ

      11 May 2026
    Main image

    On a much more positive note, with this new-found energy (a very welcome change for Ev!), Evelyn has been able to enjoy some special time away with family thanks to an incredible charity called TimeOut NZ, who reached out through this Givealittle page.

    TimeOut connects families navigating stage 4 disease or terminal illness with generous property owners around New Zealand, giving them the opportunity to spend quality time together during incredibly difficult periods of life, completely free of charge. Such a beautiful concept and one we’re so grateful for.

    Please check them out below:
 https://timeoutnz.org/

    This Givealittle page is due to expire in a couple of days. If extended, updates will continue here. Otherwise, updates will likely move over to Instagram.

    Thank you for the incredible love and support shown throughout this journey. The kindness people have shown Evelyn has meant more than words can say, and she is deeply grateful to everyone who has stood beside her along the way 🤍

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  • Evelyns May Update 🤍

      9 May 2026

    The steroid medication Evelyn has been on has been helping get her health back on track, and her weekly blood tests are showing that her liver markers are slowly returning towards normal levels, which has been incredibly reassuring.

    The steroids have come with some side effects, including feeling wired, anxious, and some weight gain, but the increase in energy has honestly been such a welcome change after everything she’s been through.

    Because steroids suppress the immune system, they can interfere with immunotherapy treatment. This means Evelyn has to slowly taper off them week by week rather than stopping suddenly, giving her body time to adjust safely before treatment can begin again.

    It’s now been a long stretch since her last immunotherapy treatment on the 17th of March, which naturally brings worries about the cancer progressing again — especially the tumour in her leg, as there is still more shrinkage needed there.

    Thankfully, her oncologist remains confident that this setback won’t impact the success of future treatment. The plan moving forward is to monitor her liver function and any immune-related toxicities closely, adjusting things carefully if needed. All going to plan, Evelyn will restart single-dose immunotherapy at the end of this month.

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  • Update on Evelyn: hospitalisation, delay, and reassuring scan results

      22 April 2026

    Hi everyone,

    I wanted to share an update on Evelyn over the past few weeks.

    Unfortunately, she’s had a setback and was recently hospitalised due to complications from her immunotherapy treatment. Her immune system has reacted strongly, affecting her liver function and causing ongoing fevers and other symptoms.

    She is now on high-dose medication to get this under control, which means her treatment has been delayed into next month while her body recovers.

    On a positive note, her recent MRI shows the activity in her brain is consistent with inflammation from the immunotherapy rather than active cancer. This is reassuring, and her team will continue to monitor it closely.

    There is a clear plan in place, with the focus now on helping her recover and then easing back into treatment when she’s ready.

    The past few weeks have been incredibly challenging, but she is continuing to fight and taking things one day at a time. We’re hopeful this is a temporary setback and that she’ll be back on track soon.

    Evelyn would like to say a massive thank you to everyone for your ongoing support, messages, and kindness, it truly means a lot and has been giving her some much needed strength during a physically and emotionally difficult time.

    We’re all hoping the next update brings better news.

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    • 23/04/2026 by Samantha

      Sending lots of love to you Evie ❤️ Mark and Sam xxx

  • Evelyn’s PET-CT Scan Update

      8 April 2026

    Hi everyone 🤍

    Update after my latest PET-CT scan and a recent hospital visit:

    The scan showed a bit of a mixed response — but overall there is some really encouraging news. The spots in my lungs are no longer visible, my bone lesions are less active, and the tumour in my thigh has continued to shrink, which is such a big win and a sign that the treatment is working 💛

    There are some lymph nodes that are a bit more active, which my team is keeping a close eye on. At this stage, it’s not completely clear whether this is active cancer or just inflammation from the immunotherapy (which can happen), so the plan is to repeat scans in 8 weeks to get a clearer picture.

    I’ve also had a bit of a rough patch health-wise and ended up in hospital with a fever. The good news is all the main checks (heart, lungs, bloods) came back normal, and it’s likely I picked up a viral infection which I’m now recovering from.

    The scan also picked up some activity in a small gland in my brain called the pituitary. My team thinks this is most likely inflammation caused by the immunotherapy (a known side effect), but I’ve got an MRI and some hormone tests booked to confirm and make sure everything is okay.

    We start the single doses this week.

    All in all there are definitely some positives to hold onto.

    Thank you so much for all the love, support, and messages it truly means the world to me 🤍

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    • 08/04/2026 by Samantha

      There’s some really positive improvements in there Evie and we know the immunotherapy keeps doing its thing long after the treatments have finished. We’re sending all our love and best wishes to you as you continue to battle this ❤️ Sam & Mark Read

  • Progress with melanoma treatment funding in NZ

      27 March 2026

    Hi everyone,

    We wanted to share an update about melanoma treatment funding in New Zealand, and what it means for Evelyn.

    Pharmac has recently been consulting on funding dual immunotherapy (nivolumab + ipilimumab) for melanoma. If approved, this could be introduced from around May 2026 for some patients. This is a really positive step forward and will make a difference for many people in the future.

    However, this proposal is mainly for patients with resectable (operable) melanoma, and remains under consultation: https://www.pharmac.govt.nz/news-and-resources/consultations-and-decisions/2026-02-proposal-to-widen-access-to-nivolumab-and-ipilimumab-for-resectable-melanoma

    For those with advanced metastatic melanoma, like Evelyn, access to this treatment is still very limited and urgently needed.

    When Evelyn was diagnosed with Stage IV melanoma, her cancer had already spread, and waiting for funding decisions wasn’t an option. Her doctors recommended starting dual immunotherapy immediately to give her the best possible chance.

    Because this treatment isn’t fully funded in her situation, it has come with a significant financial burden, something your incredible support has helped ease.

    Evelyn had her first follow-up scans last Tuesday since starting treatment, we are feeling optimistic as we wait to receive those results next week.

    It’s encouraging to see progress but incredibly hard knowing this has come too late for Evelyn.

    Thank you all for your continued support! ❤️

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  • Treatment Cycle 4

      23 March 2026

    Cycle 4 last Tuesday marked the final round of Ev’s double-dose immunotherapy. Her oncologist is comfortable stopping at four cycles, as current research shows no added benefit beyond this.

    There was encouraging news at her latest appointment, the lump in the back of her thigh has noticeably reduced and is far less painful. A small but meaningful win that gives hope the treatment is working.

    Now we wait for her PET-CT scan tomorrow (this Tuesday) It’s an anxious time, but Ev is staying cautiously optimistic and hoping to see no further spread and even some shrinkage in the affected areas of her bones.

    There is still 9 months of immunotherapy treatment ahead, but each step forward counts.

    And a gentle reminder to everyone: even in autumn, remember to Slip, Slop, Slap and Wrap ☀️🤍

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  • Treatment Cycle 3

      3 March 2026

    Hi All,

    Ev has successful received her 3rd treatment on Tuesday the 24th of Feb. She went into this cycle understandably nervous after her allergic reaction last round. Her oncologist decided not to pre-prime with steroids this time, but to have them ready if needed (thankfully she had no reaction!).

    It was a long day in the chair for her with pre-meds, back-to-back immunotherapy doses, and Ev’s first bone infusion. The bone treatment caused significant body aches, the first few days were tough, but she’s gradually bounced back.

    Next cycle will be her last before restaging scans. They’ll be checking the spots in her lungs and lymph nodes to see if there’s been any growth, and looking for shrinkage in the bone lesions and the tumour in her leg.

    Fingers and toes crossed we’ve stopped the spread 🤞🏻🤞🏻 or even better are seeing some shrinkage 🤍

    Thank you all for your continued support, kind messages and donations to assist Evelyn through her journey ❤️

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  • Treatment Cycle 2

      18 February 2026

    Cycle 2 required a change to nivolumab alongside ipilimumab for funding reasons. This was the scariest day of her life. Unfortunately, Evelyn experienced a severe allergic reaction and went into anaphylactic shock. The nursing team acted immediately and were able to stabilised her.

    A silver lining: her blood markers indicate she is highly responsive to that treatment.

    There is now a plan in place heading into Cycle 3.

    Thank you again for standing beside Evelyn, your support means so much.

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  • Treatment Cycle 1

      18 February 2026

    Evelyn has now completed 2 treatment cycles of the double-dose immunotherapy.

    Cycle 1 included pembrolizumab (funded) and ipilimumab (non-funded). She felt great on treatment day, even celebrating as the first drug went in, only to be told it was just saline, which gave everyone a good laugh! By Day 2 she developed a facial and neck rash with nausea, followed by fatigue, body aches and nerve pain that lasted into Week 3. Thankfully the nurse team were incredible in helping manage these side effects.

    Her oncologist has been wonderful and Evelyn is incredibly grateful for her care. Bloods showed some inflammation requiring liver monitoring, though her kidney function looks strong. The tumour in her leg has increased in size, which is hoped to be treatment-related inflammation rather than growth. Radiation remains an option if required. Like chemo, but more targeted.

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  • 100% Funded in Just 2 Days 💛

      15 February 2026

    Thank you so much everyone for your donations. We’ve officially reached our target in just over 2 days, which has been incredibly overwhelming to witness such a fast and generous response!!

    This page will remain active over the next 3 months, with regular updates for those who would like to continue following Evelyn’s journey and sending well wishes.

    We’ll be sharing more over the coming days about how Evelyn’s first two treatment cycles have gone.

    Please see a thank-you video from Evelyn below 💛

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    • 16/02/2026 by Samantha

      Sending you lots of love, beautiful girl ❤️from all The Read Whānau xxx

  • THANK YOU!

      14 February 2026

    It hasn’t been surprising to see everyone rally behind our beautiful Ev but the speed and generosity has been amazing.

    We reached 50% of the target within the first 8 hours, and now just 2 days in we’re already close to 100%.

    Your donations, messages and shares have certainly lit a fire in her belly! Seeing she has this team behind her is amazing.

    Thank you for all of your support! ❤️❤️❤️ we will continue to update this page with Evelyn’s journey.

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