Xantheas Journey with Lymphoma
Help support Xanthea and the Tresch Family in their journey with cancer
Upper Hutt, Wellington
On April 14th, our brave 12-year-old daughter Xanthea had some routine tests for a persistent cough. Within hours, we were urgently flown from Wellington to Christchurch Children’s Hospital via the Lifeflight plane. Xanthea has since been diagnosed with Lymphoma—a cancer of the lymphatic system—causing a tumour in her chest.
Xanthea has now started chemotherapy in Christchurch, with treatment expected to last 4–5 months. We’re staying strong and optimistic, and she’s in the best hands. Mum and Dad have relocated to Christchurch to be with her every step of the way.
We’re incredibly thankful for the support from Ronald McDonald House as we adjust to life in a new city. Back home, Xanthea’s two cats and border collie are waiting patiently for cuddles. She’s a huge football fan and especially loves watching the Phoenix Women’s team play. she is so disappointed to miss her football season this year but looks forward to rejoining her teammates at a later date.
This page has been created to allow friends, family, and kind-hearted supporters to help ease the financial pressure while we focus entirely on getting Xanthea better. Every bit of support means the world to us. Thank you for being part of Xanthea’s journey.
Jeremy Tresch's involvement (page creator)
We are Xantheas Mum and dad, Sarah and Jeremy
Use of funds
Living costs for the family to remain in Christchurch by Xantheas side for the duration of her treatment.
Latest update
Final Update - Treatment Complete 28 August 2025
Today marked the end of Xanthea's treatment and we have had final confirmation that her cancer is officially in remission.
She rang the ceremonial bell and signed the giraffe on the CHOC ward to signify that she has completed her entire treatment process. This was a really big moment for her, and we were all thinking back to how far we have come since we arrived, and how little we knew then about what we were going to experience.
We leave in the morning for a bucket-list trip to Queenstown, that will mark 137 nights that we have been based in Christchurch, away from the comforts of home and dealing with the treatment process. We are looking forward to doing some really exciting activities as a family and getting home to our own beds (although Christchurch has become a 2nd home to us all now anyway).
Xanthea also wrote thank you cards and gave them to Ronald Mcdonald House and the Staff of the CHOC wards to say how grateful we are for all their support over the past 5 months. We'd also like to once again thank everyone who sent messages of support or contributed in some way to making this easier for us.
We will close this page in the coming days, as we finish this chapter in Xantheas journey.
Thank you to everyone,
Xanthea, Sarah and Jeremy
Latest donations
Thanks heaps, this makes a really big difference to Xanthea as she finishes her treatment
Thank you so much, we really appreciate your support
Thank you so much Simon
Thank you Lesley for your support
Thank you guys, we will keep you updated on xantheas progress
Who's involved?
Page Q&A
Ask a question hereAny concerns?
Report this pageThank the donor
Your message will be displayed on the page and emailed to the donor.
Your new message will also be emailed to the donor.
Saving a blank entry will delete the current comment.