Auckland girl with rare brain tumour seeks overseas treatment to give her better chance at life

Mitchell HagemanMultimedia Journalist·NZ Herald·15 Nov, 2026 04:00 PM4 mins to read‌Melinke Visser has a rare form of brain cancer. Photo / Dean PurcellMelinke Visser has a rare form of brain cancer. Photo / Dean PurcellSitting in her wheelchair, Melinke Visser watches her younger siblings play hide-and-seek.“I can’t play with you,” she tells them, much to their dismay.They don’t understand how gravely ill she is – her Diffuse Midline Glioma (DMG) making even simple tasks such as eating and drinking a daily challenge.