Tracey Wright, a neonatal nurse at Auckland’s Starship Children’s Hospital since January 2000, is raising funds for CAR-T cell therapy in Shanghai after exhausting her treatment options in New Zealand for a third recurrence of large B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Wright’s cancer journey began in June 2023 when she found two lumps on her groin. A biopsy confirmed she had large B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a fast-growing blood cancer impacting the lymphatic system. She completed a six-month course of R-CHOP chemotherapy that achieved remission.
In August 2025, following two years of routine check-ups every three months, Wright discovered a lump on her neck. A subsequent biopsy reconfirmed the return of the non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. She underwent a second round of chemotherapy alongside a stem cell transplant, which she described as feeling like she “got hit by a brick”.
A Brain Tumor Diagnosis
Months after her stem cell transplant, blood tests showed clear results, but doctors noted her bone marrow recovery was unusually slow. Approximately nine months later, Wright experienced vision issues while working at the hospital. A subsequent scan revealed a brain tumor, marking the third return of the cancer.
Wright recalled going to the emergency department, where she called her husband before her nurse unit manager arrived. “So, there’s me in my grey uniform crying, sitting in the middle of ED,” she said. Initially categorized as grade 3B severity, she stated that she never expected the illness to return.
Did You Know? Tracey Wright has cared for critically ill babies in the neonatal intensive care unit at Auckland’s Starship Children’s Hospital since January 2000.
Seeking Treatment in Shanghai
New Zealand doctors informed Wright that further domestic treatment would likely only offer a limited amount of time. CAR-T cell therapy is currently available in New Zealand only through clinical trials, such as one underway at the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research. Medical staff explained that the brain barrier prevents chemotherapy from working effectively in the central nervous system.
Without treatment, doctors stated she could have weeks to a few months to live. Although she initially hesitated due to costs, her family said “we don’t want you to go”. Her daughter established a GiveALittle page, which raised just under $70,000 by early November.
Tracey Wright faces large B cell non Hodgkin lymphoma
When did Tracey Wright start working at Starship Children’s Hospital?
Tracey Wright began working as a nurse in the neonatal intensive care unit at Auckland’s Starship Children’s Hospital in January 2000.
What type of cancer was Wright diagnosed with?
Wright was diagnosed with large B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a fast-growing blood cancer impacting the lymphatic system.
How much money has been raised on the GiveALittle page?
As of early November, the fundraising page set up by her daughter had collected just under $70,000 in donations.
How do you view the challenges patients face when specialized medical treatments are restricted to clinical trials?
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