Help Nathan spend more precious time with his family

Until just a few weeks ago, Nathan Reid was happily getting on with his life - loving his job as a Detective Sergeant in the New Zealand Police, married to Claire and raising their three boys William (11), Fletcher (9) and Jacob (6).

As a fit and healthy 45-year-old, health problems were far from his mind. But out of the blue, he started having seizures. When the doctors figured out the cause, the news was devastating. Nathan has a rare form of melanoma cancer (mucosal melanoma). It’s the worst kind because it’s hard to detect until it has advanced, and unfortunately that is what’s happened in Nathan’s case - it has spread to his brain.

A terminal cancer diagnosis is every family’s worst nightmare. Without treatment, the prognosis is very poor. Obviously the main priority is to prolong Nathan’s life as long as possible, and there are advanced immunotherapy drugs (Vemurafenib, Cobimetinib & Atezolizumab) that offer this chance, but unfortunately they are not available via the public health system in NZ and must be funded privately. They have been quoted around $100,000 for the treatment.

Nathan & Claire are desperately trying to fund this treatment, since every additional day Nathan has with his family is precious. Since Nathan's diagnosis there has been a huge outpouring of support from their family, friends and their wider community and everyone wants to know how they can help. They are open to any and all support so we've set up this page as a way to collectively support them and hopefully help relieve some of the financial burden during this devastating journey for their family.

We really appreciate any amount you can give, however small, and if you can share it with others who may know the family and want to help, that would be wonderful. Thank you so much in advance for any help you are able to give.