Give a little to James, to help him live a little longer

It is with great sadness that I am setting up this new page for my brother James Depree.

As some of you are aware over the last 3.5 years, James has been battling Hodgkins Lymphoma with a variety of stem cell transplants and chemotherapy treatments. (If you are unaware of James's journey, you can read more about it here https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/give-a-quid-for-a-squid-james-depree). He has had an absolutely incredible attitude and huge amount of hope this entire time.

Unfortunately, on the 2nd March 2021 we discovered that James' last stem cell transplant from his donor and the Brentuximab chemotherapy he received has not been successful and the cancer has returned, grown and spread across his chest, up to his neck and through his abdomen. This has been devastating news for James as he was feeling like he was improving and all signs were pointing in the right direction.

The next step for James that is recommended by his haematologist at Wellington Hospital is a chemotherapy drug called Keytruda/Pembrolizumab. The most important thing you all need to know is that this drug is unlikely to cure his cancer. it will hopefully lengthen his life expectancy and give him an opportunity to spend more time with his loved ones to make amazing memories we can all cherish forever.

The second piece of disappointing news from his haematologist is that the drug "Keytruda" cannot be funded for James. In order to give him more time we need to raise $100,000 to pay for him to receive this privately. This $100,000 pays for a 30 week programme of the chemotherapy and will cover his first 10 doses and administration fees. After the initial 30 weeks, he will need to pay $2,200 every three weeks in order to get the drug administered privately - Hence the large cost!

As you can all imagine, this is not the outcome James or anyone had hoped for. given how young, fit and positive he has been at every turn. Our goal post has now shifted from saving his life to pushing for as much time as we can possibly get with him, to make it the best, most enjoyable time possible.

James has so many things he still cannot wait to achieve and along with the price of his chemotherapy we want to help him reach these lifetime goals. His biggest wish is to marry his beautiful fiancé Tasmin. They would love to have an engagement party where they can have all of their loved ones attend under one roof with them to celebrate. If anyone in the world deserves this - It is James and Tasmin. They have endured such hard and sad times together and yet all they do is make each other smile and laugh.

James and our entire family are so thankful to everyone that has contributed towards James' cancer battle and for the ongoing support and kind words. You are all amazing, amazing human beings.

Love to you all,

Lucinda Depree - James' Sister