My Activity Tracking
175
kms
My target 200 kms
Distance Travelled
Total
175.2233km
My target
200km
CAR T Saved My Life — Let’s Bring It Home to New Zealand!
Seven years ago, CAR T-cell therapy saved my life.
But it didn’t save it in New Zealand.
When I ran out of options here, I had to travel halfway across the world to the United States for treatment. It was terrifying, expensive, uncertain — and I was one of the lucky ones who could go.
Right now, many Kiwis with aggressive blood cancers still face that same reality: leave their country, leave their whānau, and raise extraordinary sums of money just to have a chance at living.
That’s not good enough.
I’m taking on the Go the Distance challenge because I want to help change that. Every kilometre I complete and every dollar you donate supports the Malaghan Institute’s ENABLE-2 trial — a critical step toward making CAR T-cell therapy available in New Zealand’s public health system.
This trial isn’t theoretical. It’s real. It’s underway. And it’s within reach.
But it needs us.
If we succeed, future patients won’t have to board a long-haul flight when they’re at their weakest. They’ll receive world-class treatment here, close to home, close to family, close to the people who matter most.
I am alive because of CAR T.
Let’s make sure others don’t have to leave Aotearoa to access it.
Please support my challenge if you can. Give what you’re able. Share if you can’t. Every contribution brings this treatment closer to home.
Let’s go the distance — together.
My Go the Distance Milestones
Registered your page!
Uploaded a profile picture
Set your fundraising target
Made a self donation
Shared your page
Received your first donation
50% fundraising target met!
Halfway distance!
Smashed Funraising Goal!
Gone the distance!
Thank you to my Sponsors
$1.04k
Anonymous
$1.04k
Matched Donation
$1.04k
Anonymous
$527.50
David
Salting the tip jar
$267.25
Anna Elinder Camburn
Here is hoping you beat Ashleigh - but only just. The more $$ the better! Thank you so much for your fundraising efforts for a cause particularly close to my heart. You’ve got this!
$267.25
Matched Donation
$215
Sue And Brian
VERY inspiring hearing your story! YOU CAN DO IT!
$154.65
Carlos Miguel Martinez
David, Go well. BtheLove Carlos
$150
Justin Gray
Your drive to support such an important initiative is truly admirable David. Well done.
$106.12
Lynda Durbin
Well done
$106.12
Olivia Wensley
So grateful you're still here thanks to Car-T ❤️
$106.12
Trevor
Go team Down with Cancer!
$106.12
Steve Scott
You continue to inspire David!
$106.12
Grant Cartwright
Excellent cause David!
$106.12
Ruth Morse
Great work David and congratulations on reaching the halfway milestone 😀
$106.12
Karen
Thanks for all your work to help Malaghan help cancer sufferers
$106.12
Matched Donation
$106.12
Olivia Blaylock
Inspirational as always DD!
$106.12
Matched Donation
$106.12
Christina Cameron
Thank you for all that you do for Cancer Awareness.
$106.12
Matched Donation
$106.12
Don Gilchrist - Qbic Construction Ltd
$106.12
Merryn Straker
Go well my friend, keep those legs moving :)
$106.12
Penny Mulvaney
Keep going, David! You got this!
$106.12
Evan
$106.12
Stuart C
Love your work (and your walk!) David! Keep at it mate - one step at a time l! 👍👍🤗🤗
$100
Matai Farms 2016 Ltd
$57.14
Superman
$57.14
Matched Donation
$54.84
Tracy Willis
Always an inspiration David!
$54.84
Cheryl Adams
You’ve got this
$54.84
Turid
Love ya David Downs
$54.84
Matched Donation
$54.12
Zoe R
$54.12
Dan Walker
Ka rawe e hoa.
$54.12
Joanna James
Go David!
$54.12
Joelle Grace
Your story gives hope to others. Such an important cause.
$54.12
Jess Guthrie
Go DD and team 🤙
$50
Malcolm Lewis
Your case is inspirering
$50
Leon Grandy
Go you good thing!!
$33.15
Briony Ellis
$29.36
Melanie
Walk it home team:-). Love your work.
$28.43
Kay Hodges
While too late for my husband , you give hope to others. It is a good thing
$27.83
Rob Weinkove
Go Dave!
$27.81
Gove
Amazing David. Keep raising awareness mate. All the best, Gove.
$27.81
Jo
Hi David, I'm so impressed with this research. So glad we have you championing the cause. Kind regards Jo
$25
Tamara Mapp-borren
Love both you & Ashley but dont want either of you in just a white coat so must support!
$25
Matched Donation
$20
Chrissie Wright
So proud to hear what our scientist are achieving, sincerely hope this can help many more Here in Aotearoa, thank you for sharing some of your story
$11.65
Flowjoanna
Thanks for all you do to support this amazing mahi, David!
Our Team
David Downs (C)
$7,565.97
Katherine Downs
$3,010.95
Rhiannon Lloyd
$862.80
Daniel Bridges
$1,123.54
Glenn Wood
$1,354.85
Alison Adams
Helen Parrott
$568.45
Tracey Bridges
$1,165.03
Jeremy CORBETT
$451.80
Amanda Johnson
$953.62
Carol Gordon
$771.64
Blair Kirkwood
Kate Gregan
$2,123.38
Hayley Law
$643.18
Kevin Law
$901.89
Daniel Grey
$28.43
Fiona Lithander
$507.95
