The funds raised to help Hamilton man Shane Simpkins (pictured, with his wife Sam and their daughters) pay for a treatment for his aggressive brain tumour has topped $15,000.
Hamilton News featured Shane and his family on the front page of our March 20 edition. Shane and his wife Sam called on Pharmac to fund Avastin, which is used to treat the disease.
Shane, 37, was diagnosed with a glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) in November 2013. It has since recurred twice and now the Simpkins have to come up with $50,000 to pay for the immunotherapy drug that Pharmac does not fund.
Last week Shane had his first infusion of the drug, which Sam said he tolerated well.
"It took about six hours so it was a long session but Shane kept a smile the whole time."