Auckland woman Natalie Nicholson’s bid to buy more time as she faces stage 4 anal cancer

Natalie Nicholson was supposed to be enjoying newlywed life but instead she faces months of cancer treatment for a rare disease and a looming price tag to buy more time with family.

The now 45-year-old Aucklander was living her best life – newly married and doing well in her sales job, she started 2025 brimming with optimism.

That was until she was diagnosed with a rare anal cancer, initially thought to be a symptom of perimenopause, three days after her honeymoon in April last year.

The disease is now costing Nicholson nearly $9000 a month as she fights to extend her life for as long as possible.

“When you’re given a time, you’d do anything to have more time.

“It shouldn’t be that hard as a New Zealander to want to stay alive.”