Linda's Dunedin Half Marathon walk for Neuroendocrine Cancer NZ

I invite you to sponsor me and make a donation to Neuroendocrine Cancer NZ.

2022 was a year we won’t forget. In June, our world wobbled and briefly felt like it was turning upside down. So, when I recently registered for the Dunedin Half-Marathon walk and saw my bib number '2202', I started to think about that year.

After 2 or 3 years of symptoms, including extreme weight loss, chronic diarrhoea and pain; a gastrinoma was found on my pancreas (a Neuroendocrine tumour). I was diagnosed with a rare Neuroendocrine Cancer known as Zollinger Ellison syndrome.

On 2 July 2022, I had surgery in Dunedin hospital to completely remove the tumour. I was so lucky as I didn’t require any follow up treatment.

My oncologist mentioned the Neuroendocrine Cancer NZ organisation. We contacted them early on and they have been amazingly supportive in so many ways, through providing clear and easy to understand information, holding webinars with expert speakers, Zoom coffee chats for NETS patients hosted by the amazing Auckland based NETs nurse. And so much more.

My experience of this cancer has been relatively easy compared to that of other patients. Many people are not able to have surgery immediately, and many are undergoing difficult and invasive on-going treatment, which is life-changing.

The support available through Neuroendocrine Cancer NZ is invaluable. Thank you for supporting me to raise funds to keep their work going.