Help Simon fight his Cancer for his Kids

$171,207 of $300,000 goal

Given by 2274 generous donors in around 8 months

Please help Simon keep fighting to see his kids grow older, and for them to bank lots of memories with their loved Dad (and husband)!

Te Atatu Peninsula, Auckland

+6 images

Hi, we are the Clark Whanau, Simon, Libby and our four kids Ethan (15), Jacob and Liam (5) and Eleanor (4). After becoming very sick Christmas 2021 we were shocked when Simon had a diagnosis of Multiple Myeloma. He started chemotherapy immediately and testing reveals he has a gene mutation which means his cancer is aggressive. 2022 saw him undergo chemo and not one but two gruelling bone marrow transplants 100 days apart. Simon is a fighter for his kids and did an amazing job tolerating the transplants.

Unfortunately in March 23 we received the news that the transplants were unsuccessful. He was put on more chemo (lenolidomide) which has done a good job keeping the cancer at bay.

In August, the bloods showed the myeloma is on the move again which means we need to move to unfunded drugs. Pomalidomide is our first stop and costs $700 a month. The next stop after that will be Daratumumab which will cost $220k for the first year. (Please see update from April 2024)

We have dropped to extremely limited income and mortgage payment increase and cost of basic living means we are reaching out in the hope that we may be able to raise some money to put towards treatments costs of these two drugs and some day to day expenses.

*update as of April 2024*

Our funds raised will now be going towards CarT therapy in China! Please see our update for more info!❤️❤️

Any donations are appreciated more than you know. Thank you for reading.

Use of funds

We set up this page specifically to pay for two drugs - pomalidomide and daratumumab and as at April 2024 we have spent $50k on those drugs. Simon is currently on a trial and will be until it ends or until he doesn’t respond to the drug – whichever comes first. After that, we will use the givealittle funds for CAR-T Treatment in China and from time to time, we may use funds if we’re short for day-to-day bills.

Latest update

Trials and Tribulations 4 1 May 2024

Well had the full dose of the subject drug yesterday. 50% more than last week and the target strength. Normally I'd be counting down the hours left of observations (~8h) and going home but not today! Large cytokine response to the drug which isn't unexpected but it's left me with a 39+ temperature since lunchtime. Had some steroids to try and bring it down but thats pushed the hours of observations out a bit. Highly likely I'll be in for a rough overnighter.

To top it off the teenager is Covid+ so I'll have to dodge him when I do get home. Tbh it won't be difficult because he doesn't leave his room much 😂

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