Finding funds to fight cancer
Tim and Sharlene Pardy have, over the last seven years, been active members of the Ōmokoroa community. Their three children, Lily, Annelise and George, have attended Ōmokoroa No.1 School, and Sharlene is the current Chair of the Board of Trustees. Unfortunately, 14 months ago, Tim received a shock diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Tim underwent major surgery to remove the tumour, followed by a month of recovery and then six months of chemotherapy.
Pancreatic cancer is an aggressive cancer with the lowest survival rate of all the major cancers. Over 630 New Zealanders are diagnosed with it every year, and approximately 550 die from it.
Tim successfully completed his chemotherapy in January this year and returned to work at the beginning of March. Life went back to normal for the family.
Then at the beginning of August, Tim’s cancer markers rose above normal. He went for a CT scan. The results were not good. The cancer had relapsed in his liver and was now at Stage 4.
Tim’s original tumour underwent genetic testing to see if it would respond to immunotherapy, and surprisingly it came back positive. Less than 2% of pancreatic cancer patients are suitable for this kind of treatment. It uses a medicine called Keytruda to enable the immune system to recognise and fight the cancer.
It is Tim’s best chance of survival, but unfortunately, it is not funded for pancreatic
cancer in New Zealand. Treatment costs $100,000 for the first year and then $20,000 for the second year.
The Pardy family are seeking help from their family, friends, and community to help fund this treatment so that Tim can “be the best Dad he can”. The Pardy family have set up a givealittle page. Visit givealittle.co.nz/ and search Tim Pardy.
Ōmokoroa No. 1 School has organised some fundraising events, including a $1,250 sale of Mr Joe’s famous dumplings. Their car wash/sausage sizzle/bake sale/coffee cart on 28th August raised $3,250.
Tim says, “I am so immensely grateful to all of you who have been involved in fundraising and made donations to help fund my treatment. My local community is wonderful. Bless you all for your kindness, compassion and support.”