Trip of a Lifetime

My sister Brenda has Metastatic Breast Cancer, and has now been diagnosed as terminal, or as the doctor’s like to say, “She has a Life Limiting Disease”.

She has been advised about a drug that could possibly extend her life called Palbociclib, but as with all good things, there is a cost and it isn’t funded by Pharmac. The cost of this drug is $6,000 per month ongoing.

Brenda, after many hours, days & weeks of contemplation, has made the decision that she won’t put her young family under this sort of financial pressure, and instead wants to spend whatever time she has creating amazing memories for her family, especially her three children.

To this end, while Brenda is physically able to, she wants to take her family on a trip around Europe and it is for this adventure that we would like your support.

She wants to see the joy on their faces, hear them scream with excitement, as they watch their favourite football players play the game they all love.

She wants to teach them some history as they travel through the “old towns” of Europe.

She wants to swim with the kids in the warm seas of the Mediterranean, splashing and having fun.

She wants them all to forget, just for a while, about the dark world that has enveloped them, and give her boys some happy memories to remember for their lifetime.

Brenda’s children mean the world to her and she wants you all to know a little about each of them:

Zach is the eldest and he is an amazing young man. Zach is in Year 9 at school and plays in his school’s First XI Football Team and for Albany United FC’s 15th Grade Development Team. He trains five days a week, and has game day on the other two days of the week. Seven days a week of football and he loves every minute of it. Zach has been a massive support to his mum and has attended chemotherapy, radiation and other specialist appointments with her. It breaks our hearts that he has had to deal with this at such a young age, but we are so proud of the strength he has found to support the family.

Cam is the middle child and has a rare syndrome KBG and this affects him in most aspects of life, physically, mentally and socially. Cameron is tiny for his age, but this doesn’t stop his drive and determination. He plays for two Special Olympic Football Teams including a men’s team & he competed for the Special Olympic Equestrian Team in the Wellington Special Olympic National Games and won two silver and bronze medals. Cam has medical issues too, and Brenda is sometimes having to visit two hospitals for both their appointments in a single day. She takes this all in her stride.

Liam is the youngest of the trio and has just started school, he is also following in Zach’s footsteps and started playing football for Albany United FC this year. He is such an adorable, active young man, and always has time to give his mum big hugs.

We thank you for your support.