A 29-year-old New Zealand mother of two is facing a desperate race against time to receive a life-saving stem cell transplant. Loran Geddes was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia in November last year, after initially dismissing symptoms that began around July.
Delayed Treatment and Rising Costs
After achieving remission in January following her second cycle of chemotherapy, Geddes was initially told she could receive a transplant as early as May. However, her transplant date has now been delayed to August at the earliest – a nine-month wait since her diagnosis. A suitable donor has been found in the UK, as neither of her siblings nor anyone in New Zealand was a match.
The delays are particularly concerning because Geddes’s condition is high-risk due to mutations in her cancer, making a transplant her only viable treatment option. She fears a relapse if the transplant is further postponed, stating, “The delays could be the difference between me living or dying, unfortunately.”
With limited options for treatment within New Zealand, Geddes is now exploring the possibility of receiving a transplant in Australia. However, the cost of treatment there is estimated at around $1.2 million, not including relocation expenses for her family.
Systemic Challenges and Funding Concerns
Geddes’s situation highlights broader issues within New Zealand’s healthcare system. Stem cell transplants are only performed in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, all of which currently face capacity constraints. While recent funding increases – $6.11 million in 2024 and $27.1 million in 2025 – are intended to address these issues, Geddes questions how the initial funds were allocated, stating, “I’d really like to know where some of the funding has been used so far.”
Health New Zealand reports that 125 allogeneic transplants were performed in 2025, an increase from 114 in 2024, and is working to develop waiting time standards. As of December 2025, 228 patients were on the waitlist, with 110 requiring a donor.
Geddes and her family have launched a Givealittle page to raise funds for treatment and relocation costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of leukaemia does Loran Geddes have?
Loran Geddes was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML).
When was Loran Geddes initially told she could receive a stem cell transplant?
Loran Geddes was initially told she could receive a stem cell transplant as early as May.
How much does a stem cell transplant in Australia cost?
The treatment alone for a stem cell transplant in Australia would cost around $1.2 million.
What are the biggest obstacles facing patients needing stem cell transplants in New Zealand?
