Navigation & planningPersonalised guidance through treatment, appointments, and practical supports (work, travel, benefits).
Help build the support service Nyree dreamed of...
In memory of Nyree Smith — GCF ambassador, advocate, and the driving force behind the Pancreatic Cancer Support Association — Nyree's Fund continues her dream to ensure people with pancreatic and other upper GI cancers have clear information, practical help, and compassionate support including:
Nurse-led psycho-social care: navigation, helpline, and regular check-ins.
Co-designed with patients and clinicians, grounded in equity and cultural safety.
Built on Nyree’s legacy of community-led action.
How your donation helps
$60 – Helpline call: Covers one 30 minute nurse-led support call for a person newly diagnosed.
$120 – Navigation session: Supports a one-hour care-navigation session.
$180 – Information pack: Funds a tailored information pack and follow-up for a family.
$480 – Month of care: Helps fund a month of ongoing check-ins for complex needs.
Nyree’s story
Nyree galvanised a community, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for research and awareness. Her focus was always people — making sure patients and families had somewhere to turn for clear answers and steady support.
As a volunteer leader of the Pancreatic Cancer Support Association, Nyree brought together patients, families, clinicians and supporters across New Zealand. Even while undergoing treatment for her own pancreatic cancer diagnosis, she organised events, drove awareness, and stood alongside others navigating complex decisions.
GCF is honoured to establish Nyree’s Fund in her memory. The fund will help build a dedicated nurse-led service offering evidence-based information, navigation through treatment pathways (public and private), and regular check-ins to reduce stress and isolation.
With your help, we will deliver the service Nyree advocated for — practical, kind, and accessible to everyone who needs it, regardless of postcode.
Nyree with some of the members of the Pancreatic Cancer Support Association
Stories from our community
Personal experiences shape this service. These stories reflect common needs: timely information, care coordination, and someone to call when things change.
Helen
"I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in July 2023 at 68 - so the diagnosis was an enormous shock. Once treatment ended, I felt incredibly isolated. That’s when I found the Gut Cancer Foundation. The team answered my questions, pointed me to trusted resources, and made me feel genuinely supported"
Roselyn
"I am a survivor of pancreatic cancer...Several months had passed since I had started investigating what was wrong with my health. If I had stopped searching, if I had listened and believed nothing was wrong with me, if I had not been a fit person prior, if I had not listened to my body."
Russell
"Copy TBC"
A nurse-led psycho-social support service
Designed with patients, clinicians and whānau to complement clinical care and reduce distress.
Frequently asked questions
How will the Fund be used?
Every donation supports the set-up and delivery of the nurse-led psycho-social service for pancreatic and other upper GI cancers, including navigation, helpline, and patient information resources.
When will the service launch?
We are co-designing with clinicians, patients and partners now with the aim to launch a pilot scheme in April 2026. Your support accelerates timelines and reach. Updates will be shared with donors by email.
Is my donation tax-deductible?
Yes. Gifts over $5 qualify for a 33% tax credit in New Zealand. We’ll email a receipt straight away.
Can I donate in other ways?
Yes — bank transfer, credit card phone payments, payroll giving, or a regular gift. Please contact us for details.
You can also make a credit card donation over the phone:
If you would like to make a donation over the phone, please call GCF, and provide your credit card details.
You can also pay by direct credit or by online banking:
Account Name: Gut Cancer Foundation
Account Number: 02-0290-0293314-000
Reference: Nyree's Fund
If you require a tax donation receipt please email info@gutcancer.org.nz
Donate to GCF today
We appreciate any support you can give to help fund clinical research and raise awareness of gut cancers.