Zivana Tawhai, a mother from Whakatāne, carried her baby to a premature birth at 34 weeks on January 20, 2026, after declining to terminate her pregnancy following a stage three, grade three breast cancer diagnosis, according to a Givealittle page established by her sister, Carolyn Withers.
Diagnosis and the Decision to Delay Treatment
In September 2025, Tawhai was initially treated for mastitis before a biopsy revealed she had stage three, grade three breast cancer, according to Withers. Faced with a devastating choice at 20 weeks pregnant—to either terminate the pregnancy or carry her baby as long as possible before beginning chemotherapy—Tawhai chose without hesitation to save her baby.
Following the birth on January 20, 2026, the baby spent her first few weeks in a special care unit in the hospital. The infant is now home, healthy, and deeply loved, according to the fundraising page details.
Surgeries and Stage Four Progression
In April, Tawhai underwent multiple surgeries, which included a mastectomy, a tram flap reconstruction, and lymph node removal. Surgeons removed 20 tumours during the procedures. Further scans on May 12, 2026, however, revealed that Tawhai had developed stage four metastatic breast cancer.
Tawhai is currently trialling a drug named TDXD to slow tumour growth. Withers stated that her sister continues to fight with “incredible strength for more time with her loved ones.”
Fundraising and Financial Relief
The family established the Givealittle page to raise funds for monthly and weekly living expenses. The financial support is intended to ease Tawhai and her partner’s worries regarding feeding their children, paying bills, and ensuring the kids do not miss out on basic necessities such as clothing.
“As a whanau we are humbly asking for any koha (gift) big or small to help lessen those financial burdens. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts,” Withers said on the page.
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