$25 could help provide vital support for patients and whānau affected by oesophageal cancer.
Thank you for supporting Oesophageal Cancer Awareness Month
We’re grateful that you took the time to engage with our information.
It is our ongoing mission to improve and save the lives of Kiwis impacted by oesophageal cancer through research, education, advocacy, and patient support. We need your support to continue our work. Your generosity will help fund research and trials, awareness and education, advocacy, and patient support, so that together we can shift the dial for a group of patients too often forgotten.
Why your monthly gift matters so much
Your ongoing support provides the steady, reliable funding we need to take action year-round. With your regular gifts, we can invest in long-term research, raise awareness, improve early detection, and support those living with oesophageal cancer - all vital steps in reducing deaths from this disease.
Awareness
Early detection of oesophageal cancer is vital, as survival rates are much higher when it’s found early. Symptoms like trouble swallowing or ongoing heartburn are often missed. By raising awareness, we can help more people catch it early, giving them a much better chance.
Research
Clinical trials and new research are vital for improving outcomes for oesophageal cancer. They help uncover better ways to detect, treat, and manage the disease - offering more effective options for patients in the future. Supporting this work means giving more Kiwis with oesophageal cancer a fighting chance with access to clinical trials and new research.
Advocacy
Patient advocacy plays a key role in improving care and outcomes for people with oesophageal cancer. We actively advocate for patients, push for better access to treatment, and help ensure that research and healthcare decisions reflect real-life needs.
Patient Support
We offer a range of online resources to support oesophageal cancer patients and their whānau through every stage of their journey. These include information about diagnosis, treatment, diet and nutrition, living with cancer and connecting with others who understand. In addition, we are working to develop a dedicated patient support programme for oesophageal cancer patients, aiming to provide tailored information, support, and improved access to care.
Your Impact
There is a drastic lack of funding for oesophageal cancer research and clinical trials in New Zealand.
Your support can help change that by giving our brightest minds the opportunity to find better ways to detect, diagnose and treat oesophageal cancer.
TOPGEAR Clinical Trial
The Gut Cancer Foundation's supporters made it possible for Kiwis to participate in a groundbreaking international clinical trial, "TOPGEAR", which explored rates of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery to enhance cure rates for gastric (stomach and oesophageal) cancer. This gave New Zealanders access to a crucial trial and allowed our country to play a significant role in this global collaboration.
330
Around 330 New Zealanders are diagnosed with oesophageal cancer every year and the incidence is increasing.
17%
Survival rates are very low with only 17% of New Zealanders diagnosed with oesophageal cancer surviving more than five years.
31%
Registration rates of oesophageal cancer are around 38% higher for Māori compared to non-Māori, and death rates are 31% higher for Māori than non-Māori.
Personal Journeys
Journeys of triumph, resilience and sadness told by patients and whānau affected by oesophageal cancer in New Zealand.
