Battling cop thanks public for precious treatment

Cancer-fighting Auckland detective Sarah Cato has started treatment to lengthen her life thanks to generous donations of more than $105,000 from the public. Cato, 35, had her first dose of Perjeta on Tuesday after being approved to start the treatment by her oncologist last week.

She was diagnosed with breast cancer four years ago and after undergoing a mastectomy, her doctors revealed the disease had spread and was metastatic, or incurable.

Since then she has been through a gruelling regime of chemotherapy and radiation and has been taking Herceptin to slow further cancer growth.

But she recently came to a point where she needed to up the ante on the treatment and wanted to try Perjeta — a drug that could give her almost two more years with her family and on the front line of policing.

Perjeta, when used in conjunction with Herceptin, has been shown to reduce the risk of metastatic cancer worsening.

The drug is fully funded by Pharmac — but only for patients who have not been previously treated with Herceptin or chemotherapy.

So, Cato needed to find the money for Perjeta herself. The cost of the drug and ongoing infusions is at least $130,000.

Cato shared her story with the last month and in two weeks she managed to raise $106,126.

That meant she could start her treatment much earlier than expected.

On Tuesday Cato posted a video of her receiving her first dose of Perjeta.

“I’m just getting my first [treatment] of Perjeta,” Cato said, her drip visible behind her. “I just wanted to thank you guys so very, very much for making this possible.

“We’ve got a little bit to go in terms of fundraising but we’ve got some really, really excellent events coming up.”

Cato said her wife Keely and daughter Emma, 10, were also thankful for every dollar that had been given.

“My family and I are . . . so very grateful to you all,” she wrote on Facebook.

“I feel immense love and kindness from the New Zealand public and also my friends and supporters around the world.”

Cato’s Perjeta money has come from family, friends, colleagues, current and former police staff and members of the public.

Some have made donations of $5000 and $10,000 and others have rallied workmates and social clubs to give whatever they can.

Fellow cancer patients and survivors are also backing Cato.

One woman wrote about her own experience as she explained why she was donating to Cato’s Givealittle page.

“In 2007 my friends and family fundraised so I could be treated with Herceptin, which wasn’t funded at that time,” she said.

“I am so grateful for all the money donated and it made me aware that I was surrounded by love through that difficult time.”

A comedy evening, headed by Urzila Carlson, will be held next month and a silent auction is being organised to continue raising funds for Cato.

Sarah Cato has been able to start treatment with Perjeta earlier than expected thanks to public donations.

HWatch video from Sarah Cato at nzherald.co.nz

I feel immense love and kindness from the New Zealand public. Sarah Cato