Kia ora Whānau and friends,

We are writing to you on behalf of Jamie’s Whānau.

As some of you may know on the 29th of July our beloved mum, daughter, sister and friend Jamie received the devastating diagnosis of breast cancer (invasive carcinoma) just 3days before her 30th birthday.

Heartbreakingly, she now walks a path her own mother once travelled, a cruel echo no whānau should ever have to face twice.

Jamie had sought medical help back home in New Zealand on multiple occasions, reporting pain and discovering lumps. You would think given the history of her mother having this same diagnosis that some sort of urgency would be taken into consideration just to be sure that Jamie would not have to carry that same pain. However the only testing that was taken on two separate occasions were bloods and nothing further. Despite her persistence and knowing the high risk she could potentially face she now felt her concerns were not taken seriously which led her to travel here to Australia where her wider Whānau reside.

It wasn’t until she travelled here with her 5yr old daughter that she received urgent testing only TWO days after landing at Sydney Airport. She presented to Wollongong Hospital where she underwent multiple testing that included bloods, an X-ray and an ultrasound all in one visit which led the drs to finally give Jamie a formal diagnosis of cancer cells within the breasts.

Fast forward she has undergone multiple biopsies, mammograms and specialist appointments with further testing to come to determine the possible spread to other organs!

Jamie now faces a full mastectomy of both breasts and will undergo further testing to determine if chemotherapy, radiation, or hormone therapy is needed to say the least.

We are currently jumping through the hoops of organising her Medicare to see if she is eligible for any government healthcare support and deciding whether she continues further treatment here in Australia or back home leaving the financial weight of her diagnosis on her and our whānau.

Jamie is also a mother of 4 beautiful children given the youngest only being 7months old who is still back in New Zealand with Whanau while their mum gets her health sorted as best she can. Now as you could imagine she is facing emotional distress from missing her babies immensely. It has been a long and emotional few weeks for them and we have a long journey ahead.

We’ve created this to awhi our beautiful Jamie during this incredibly hard time. Funds raised will help cover medical expenses, travel (including potential international costs), and everyday living costs. Should she choose to begin her healing journey in Australia, this may also support her tamariki to be by her side. Any koha, no matter the size, is received with deep aroha and gratitude.

Anyone who knows Jamie knows she is someone who gives awhi (love and support) to others constantly, the most generous and kind person who has so much love to give. So with an open heart this is now our time to come together and awhi her.

Ngā mihi nui for your kindness, compassion, and aroha.

- Jamie’s Whānau xx