Coffee drive to help Jackson Alexander buy cancer medicine

Ahuriri Cafe owner Sheryl Whatuira will be donating all money made from coffee on Saturday to Jackson Alexander, who is battling cancer. Photo/ Warren Buckland

Cafe Ahuriri is rallying behind Jackson Alexander who relies on an unfunded drug to survive as he continues his battle with cancer.

Since being diagnosed with melanoma on Daffodil Day 2014 the 21-year-old and his family have been on an emotional rollercoaster which has now left Mr Alexander needing a drug that costs $17,700 a month.

On Saturday Cafe Ahuriri is donating all money made from its coffees directly to help fund his treatment.

Cafe Ahuriri owner Sheryl Whatuira hoped to make a small difference to Mr Alexander's life after reading about his story at the weekend.

Ms Whatuira said all coffee beans had been donated by Total Food Equipment and all of the milk had been donated by Anchor Milk.

"There is no limits - it is just as much as we can sell."

To kick-start the fundraiser Frucor Beverages also donated $1000.

"We will be giving every cent made to Jackson on Saturday from the coffee and from now until September 3 we will be taking donations."

Ms Whatuira's son had melanoma but luckily for them it wasn't advanced.

"This could be any of us and I think it is a great cause that we want to get right behind. How great would it be if we could all help make a difference?"

Mr Alexander's father, Simon Alexander, said there were some good people out there and every bit helped.

"It's not hard to do - people just need to have the heart to do it - so I hope everyone can get behind it as all these things help us."

Dabrafenib and Trametinib are not funded by the Government and the family applied for funding from Pharmac and special circumstance funding from the Health Minister but were told this month their applications had been denied.

Having already raised $124,000, they now need another $100,000 so Mr Alexander can continue to take the medicines for at least another five months.

They wil buy him valuable time so he can live a normal life and experience things every 21-year-old should.

He said these drugs have allowed him to live a life, which back in January wasn't looking likely. He has been able to get back into work, jump out of a plane, go snow boarding and do everything he wants to do.

To support Jackson Alexander people can head to Cafe Ahuriri on Saturday to get their coffee fix or leave donations at the cafe until September 3.

To donate directly to Mr Alexander put money into his account at 03-0779-0005218-000 and to follow his journey like his Facebook page "Save Jooky".