Supporting Ruth through stage 4 bowel cancer

In March 2024 our beloved sister Ruth Mitchener was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer, which has metastasised to her liver and lungs.

Ruth is only 40 years old, lives on the Kapiti coast with her husband Andrew and their two young children, aged 9 and 6. Her diagnosis has come as a total shock, and we are all reeling with shock.

Ruth has undergone numerous invasive procedures, and is now on a journey through gruelling chemotherapy treatments every fortnight in Wellington for the next 5 months.

While completing treatment Ruth is unable to work, or even transport herself to the hospital. Ruth had just won a scholarship to start a PhD in Industrial Design, however this sudden diagnosis has meant she has now had to put this on hold. Her husband Andrew has significantly reduced his workload to part time hours to focus on caring for Ruth, as well as for the children and home.

Your support will go to keeping a roof over their heads and your help will keep food on the table, provide childcare when Ruth is in treatment, transport to hospital, and will help Ruth to spend as much precious time with her children and family as possible.

We are holding our breath waiting for the results from Ruth’s next scan, which will determine further treatment and prognosis.

It is difficult for Ruth to ask for help. She means the world to us, but to her little kids she is the whole world, and she wants nothing more than a future with her family, so thank you in advance for your love and support.