An insurance company is staging a Family Fun Run and Walk Fundraiser to raise money for east Auckland cancer patient Erik Morgan.
He lives with his wife Nasreen and their daughters Brianna and Cyra in Shelly Park.
As the Times reported recently, his journey with the illness has spanned more than 16 years.
In 2008 the civil engineer, then living in Colorado in the United States, fainted during a run.
That episode led to emergency surgery revealing a tennis ball-sized tumour in his brain.
In 2011, shortly before he moved to New Zealand to marry Nasreen, further scans revealed more growth.
He had surgery as well as chemotherapy and radiation. Despite multiple treatments, Erik and Nasreen tied the knot and have built a beautiful life together.
In 2022, after their daughters were born, a seizure revealed recurring tumour cells, which led to yet more treatments.
He was in remission from cancer in late 2022 but complications from radiation arose in May the following year.
That caused loss of function in his right arm and leg and the inability to work.
Erik was administered a chemotherapy drug that he could take at home without any adverse effects.
He was on the drug for six months while Nasreen took on a part-time job to sustain them financially, whilst her parents Rustom and Fidelia Dubash helped with their daughters.
One of the cancer drugs he’s been treated with, Avastin, is not funded by the Government.
The family used all of their insurance cover and financial help from relatives to pay for treatment.
In January this year another scan revealed the tumour had returned and Erik and Nasreen were told treatment would cost $32,000 a month.
“In total, we need to pay for four months and the Government alongside our insurance provider will cover the other 20 months (two-year treatment plan),” Nasreen previously said.
“The catch is we need to pay the two months of the first year, before the Government will pay.
“This treatment also needs to start soon for it to work as if the cells get too aggressive this drug might not work.
“We are unable to afford $64,000 for the first two months after the expenses we have had over the last three years.
“We sold our only home last year but still haven’t received the finances from that sale as the buyers need to sell their property.
“We’ve toyed with the idea of me leaving work and taking care of Erik and the kids full-time, however work thus far has helped me mentally cope.
“For a few hours a day it makes my life feel a bit more normal. We also want to impart a resilient work ethic to our children.”
An online Givealittle fundraising page to help pay for the treatments has so far raised $74,540 of its $223,000 goal.
The money it raises will go toward Erik starting on a $128,000 course of the drug Ivosidenib via Canopy Care.
While he’s starting that treatment more funds need to be raised for him to go to Hope4Cancer for treatment, at an additional cost of $95,000.
To help the family raise the needed money, the insurance company Vive is staging a fundraiser for Erik.
“Nasreen approached Vive in 2023 seeking advice on insurance for herself and told us about her brave husband’s battle with cancer since 2008,” the company says.
“We implemented a robust financial protection plan for Nasreen, as she and Erik have two young daughters, and Nasreen was also taking care of Erik as he underwent treatment.
“Recently, we were devastated to hear the cancer is back. But Erik is a fighter!”
Vive’s 5km Family Fun Run/Walk Fundraiser is intended to reach a much larger network and raise funds for Erik and his family.
It’s being staged from 10am to 12pm on June 15 at Barry Curtis Park in Flat Bush. Go online here to register to take part.
