Support Zach's Fight for Life

SUPPORT ZACH NORRIS’ FIGHT FOR LIFE

Zachary Daniel Norris is a 42 year old father to 20 month old daughter Olanna, husband to Ada, son, brother, and a good friend to many, and trusted lawyer to his clients. Zach was diagnosed with brain cancer in January of 2019, a cancer that currently has no cure. While the diagnosis is grim, Zach has been told by every doctor who has consulted with him that he is strong, and in a very good position to fight and stop the cancer's progression. He was told that every day he is alive is an opportunity to keep fighting until a cure is discovered. He was told that there are many treatments pending clearance with the US Food and Drug Administration and to keep fighting to live.  

Zach and Ada are using their own resources to get Zach the treatment and care he needs; however, their resources are limited and they need the help and support of others in order to continue to save his life and get through this new, terrifying reality.


A Brief Background
Zach is a friend to everyone he meets. He is utterly generous, super smart and is all around amazing. He is loved by so many and is wholly deserving of our love and support. He's that guy that always has your back and will go above and beyond to help anyone in need. He loves the outdoors, he loves to play piano and guitar, he loves to spend time with his friends and family, and can tell a great joke while always putting a smile on anyone's face.  

He is also a lawyer who is passionate about his work for his clients. He loves life and lives it to the fullest as many who know him will attest.  So much of that life was taken away from him so quickly when he started to notice his first symptoms in May of 2018 and as he started to lose his ability to use the right side of his body, and some of his speech.  He is a very intelligent man and that is all still there, but the physical limitations have taken away much of what he enjoys-- except for his love and devotion to his wife and daughter, and his determination to stick around to spend as much time as possible with them.

Zach and his wife Ada moved to New Zealand from Houston, Texas, in 2011. They fell in love with New Zealand and made it their home while establishing the first and only US law firm in the country. With their daughter Olanna who was born in July 2017, they have built a beautiful, peaceful life in Auckland, New Zealand. That life has been turned upside down since Zach's diagnosis.


The Diagnosis
In December 2018 emergency life-saving surgery and a biopsy confirmed that Zach had a Grade 2 Diffuse Astrocytoma brain cancer in the right cerebellum. In February 2019, additional testing revealed the gut-wrenching news that Zach’s cancer had Molecular Features of Glioblastoma Stage IV and further imaging revealed that it had spread into his brain stem and into the base of the stem called PONS. 


The Treatment
Once hearing the word "cancer" Zach and Ada decided to move their family home to Houston, Texas, for Zach’s treatment at M.D. Anderson and to be closer to family and friends for support. After a long and painful fight, treatment started March 4, 2019, Zach started chemo radiation treatment at M.D. Anderson with the goal of stunting the growth of the tumor and stabilizing his condition. This was achieved and Zach and Ada were able to move their family back to New Zealand, thanks to generous donations, where his care is being continued. 

Zach continues to undergo rigorous rehabilitation to ensure that his physical disabilities caused by the tumor will not become permanent so that he can regain most of his physical functions once he has recovered from treatment.  

With this type of cancer and its precarious location, the next steps remain uncertain. Currently Ada and Zach are continuing treatments in New Zealand, which requires them to mostly pay out-of-pocket since they are working outside of government funding in order for Zach to been seen quickly and handled with personal care. 


The Reality
Their reality right now is financial hardship with limited resources and a terrifying uncertainty about the future of their young family. With medical-related expenses that have already totaled more than $150,000 USD, their living expenses have become unmanageable. 

They need as much support as we can give them as quickly as we can. This can come in any shape or form and will be received with much love and gratitude. 


FINANCIAL WAYS TO SUPPORT THEM:

*One-time donation of any amount to help cover expenses. No gesture is too small. 
*Create an ongoing monthly donation of any amount. 
*Donate childcare for one week: $700 USD / $1000 NZD
With the current situation, a full time nanny is required from 7:30am - 6:30pm. Their daughter cannot be placed in daycare as Zach cannot be exposed to illnesses.
*Donate a week’s worth of groceries: $250 USD / $382 NZD
Zach’s organic, no-sugar, keto brain tumor diet requires a lot of food to be cooked each week in addition to feeding Ada, Olanna and the nanny.

OTHER WAYS TO SUPPORT THEM:

*Drop off a meal to accommodate Zach’s diet. 
*Babysit Olanna for one day or evening. 
*Say a healing prayer to your higher power. 
*Send Zach a quick note of support, or even better, tell him a funny story or a joke via email to [E-Mail ausgeblendet] or via facebook messenger. 
*Send Zach music links you like to [E-Mail ausgeblendet] or create a mix via Soundcloud, Spotify or Itunes.  Music is important to him and keeps his spirits high.