Press Release: Stuff (digital)
'A very brave and special person': Tributes pour in for Wellington teen who raised more than $550,000 for cancer research.
Written by Bill Hickman, and published online for Stuff on October 13, 2021.
The father of the Wellington teenager who raised more than $550,000 for cancer research has paid tribute to his daughter, Jemima, who died on Tuesday.
“She’s always been that way; caring about, and standing up for others. She’s just always had a heart of gold,” Oliver Gazley said.
Jemima, who had an incurable brain cancer, started the fundraising for research and trials undertaken by Associate Professor Matt Dun, an expert in the field of cancer protein research in children at the University of Newcastle. She did not want other kids to go through what she and her family went through.
“We’ve got this girl that was so stoic and incredible. This 15-year-old girl who has been able to make decisions that most adults would struggle to make,” Gazley said.
He described a young woman who was completely independent with a passion for thrift stores and a desire to support others in their struggles.
Gazley said, as of Wednesday morning, the campaign had raised more than $550,000. “We’re just surrounded by so much love. The Givealittle connection has made it a little bit easier to focus on her and her life and passion,” he said.
Gazley said that he and Jemima’s mother were with her when she passed away peacefully on Tuesday night.
The scientist who leads the team that Jemima was fundraising for has also praised the teenager, saying her courage and determination had touched hearts globally.
“Throughout her journey she has shown unbelievable courage. The way she has put the lives of other children before her own well-being is inspirational. Her legacy will live on forever,” Dun said.
“This research is important for pushing the boundaries of the therapies that we feel will lead to longer term survival,” he said.
“I think $500,000 had been spent on this kind of research in New Zealand in the last 14 years.” Jemima's fundraising meant “the exciting work that we are revealing in the lab can move more quickly into clinical trials”, Dun said.
He said he talked to Jemima via text after the tumour prevented her from being able to speak. "I can’t even begin to understand what it's like to have an awareness of what she was going through.”
In addition to the money raised Jemima had also donated the areas of her brain stem affected by the cancer to Dun’s research.Chris Tse, chair of Brain Tumour Support New Zealand, said many patients and families dealing with brain cancer prefer to keep a low profile but Jemima’s decision to publicise her plight shone a light on the disease.
“Jemima has touched the hearts of thousands of ordinary Kiwis, many of whom were probably unaware that brain cancer is the biggest cancer killer of New Zealand children.
“It takes a very brave and special person to raise their head above the parapet and go public with their illness. Jemima is one of those special people,” Tse said.
Taika Waititi took to Instagram to post his admiration for the young woman’s bravery.
“A few weeks ago I made a new little buddy, Jemima Gazley, who I'm very sad to hear passed away last night after an intense battle with brain cancer. Jemima was a wonderful, radiant 15 yr old girl who touched and inspired many people during her time with us. Mauri Ora,” Waititi wrote.
On the Givealittle page, the family included a message from Jemima for her supporters.
“She wanted to let you know that she is finally cured and free. She is dancing through the heavens, laughing and full of joy,” the family wrote.
The Wellington teenager slipped into unconsciousness on Sunday, knowing she had raised more than $400,000 for cancer research. The total continued to climb after her death.
Jemima herself donated her life savings of more than $5000.
On top of the total on the Givealittle page, The Hirsch Family Funderpants organisation has donated $US10,000 ($NZ14,386) directly to Dun in honour of Jemima. Mercedes-Benz NZ did the same, donating $AUD9500 ($9955).
Jemima had wanted to raise $100,000. On the fundraising page, the family expressed their gratitude towards the contributors to her heroic fundraising efforts. “Please know every one of you have made the final chapter her greatest triumph, her legacy will live on,” they said.
