Young Mother Appeals for Urgent Funding for Cancer Treatment

A young mother from New Zealand is urgently seeking funding for life-saving cancer treatment after a promising response to her initial therapy. Sariah Nesbit, aged 25, was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of gastric cancer in March 2023. The disease was classified as advanced and inoperable, leaving her with a prognosis of approximately one year to live without additional treatment.

Nesbit, a mother to five-year-old Mahalia-June and four-year-old Amāia, initially faced a daunting reality. “My only hope was a combination of chemotherapy and an unfunded immunotherapy drug called Nivolumab,” she explained in an update on her fundraising page. The treatment exceeded expectations; scans conducted in September 2023 revealed significant progress. “There was no spread of the cancer, and my medical team changed my status from inoperable to operable,” she reported.

In October 2023, following her positive response to treatment, Nesbit underwent a major surgery to remove the primary tumour. Out of 24 lymph nodes that were removed, cancer was found in only one. Despite this success, Nesbit now faces a critical period. She has been advised that the cancer could return quickly due to its aggressive nature, with doctors estimating a potential recurrence within a year or two.

“The fight isn’t over yet,” Nesbit stated, emphasizing the necessity of continuing her treatment. Her oncologists recommend she undergo an additional six months of Nivolumab therapy to eliminate any remaining microscopic cancer cells and protect her newfound stability. Unfortunately, this drug is not funded in New Zealand, and Nesbit requires a further $45,000 NZD to complete her treatment.

The urgency of her situation is compounded by the timeline provided by her medical team. If she cannot secure the funding within the next two months, her cancer is likely to start growing again. “I am asking for your help one last time to cross this finish line,” she pleaded. “You have already bought me time; now you are helping me continue to have a future with Mahalia-June and Amāia.”

Nesbit’s struggle resonates deeply within her family. Her mother, Marie Nesbit, expressed her heartache on social media, stressing that her daughter is not asking for miracles, but rather for time. “Time to be a mum. Time to hold her girls. Time to watch them grow,” she wrote. Marie highlighted the emotional burden of knowing that effective treatment exists but remains financially out of reach.

As Sariah Nesbit prepares to return to university next year to continue her law studies, she remains hopeful. “This year, the number one question from my kids is, ‘Mum, are you going to the doctors? Are you going to the hospital?’ They’ve seen me go in and out so much,” she reflected.

The community’s response to Nesbit’s appeal has been encouraging, with many rallying to support her cause. The fight against cancer is not only a personal battle but also a testament to the strength and resilience of a mother determined to ensure a future for her children.