Hillcrest High School 12hr Ride for Ka'iulani Forbes

Our dear colleague at Hillcrest High School, Moana Forbes 2yo daughter Ka'iulani Forbes is fighting a rare cancer called Neuroblastoma, which has spread throughout her body.

She has been diagnosed as Stage 4 high risk neuroblastoma. She is currently receiving care at Starship hospital in Auckland. Her treatment involves over a year long program of chemotherapy, surgery, transplant, radiation therapy and immunotherapy (currently not available in New Zealand).

Her primary tumour in her abdomen is the size of a softball (9x10cm) and the has infiltrated and wrapped around her spine which will require very risky and lengthy neurosurgery to remove. The first attempt to remove her tumour was cancelled due to the serious risks and possible side effects it may have caused.

The behaviour and response of Ka'iulani's disease has not been typical or straight forward. She hasn't shown the response to chemotherapy they were hoping for as her scans after chemo so far have shown no shrinkage to tumours in abdomen and bones. Starship and her parents are working towards using other treatments that are not accessible at starship and may have to travel Australia, Europe and the USA where these treatments are available.

Her whanau are now fundraising to get her access to treatment overseas that is not available here in NZ with options ranging from $350,000 to $2 million dollars.

To give Ka'iulani the best fighting chance her Mama, Papa, and new baby sister will need to be with her round the clock. This will involve all their time and energy, and we will use your generous donations to improve Ka'iulani's quality of life and to access treatments that are not provided here in New Zealand.

Help support the Hillcrest High School staff and community for the 12hr Les Mills ride and donate to this amazing cause.