Sick mother granted medical waiver to stay with NZ family

Richard and Evangeline Stanners with Josh and Izzy. Photo / Simon Baker

A sick Filipina mother with failing kidneys has been granted a medical waiver allowing her to stay with her New Zealand family.

Evangeline Acero Stanners, of Christchurch, said she cried for two hours after being told of Associate Immigration Minister Kate Wilkinson's decision over the phone yesterday morning.

"I just kept hugging my children, and I guess crying is just a normal response," she said. "Words cannot explain how happy I am.

"I am still stunned by the announcement. I am so grateful at being given this chance to be able to plan for my future, and a chance to be around for my children's future."

A spokesman for Ms Wilkinson said Mrs Stanners, 35, has been given a medical waiver to obtain her New Zealand residency, after Immigration New Zealand earlier declined her application saying she did not meet health standards.

Ms Stanners' doctor said she had 15 per cent liver function and would need a transplant or dialysis to live.

Following the Herald report this week, she has received offers from would-be kidney donors.

"I am deeply touched by the generous offers, but we need to see if their kidneys are compatible," she said.

Mrs Stanners said she was optimistic her brother, who had offered his kidney, would provide the "perfect match".

Her husband, Richard Stanners, 55, said the minister's decision has "saved my wife's life", because as a New Zealand resident, she would be able to use the public health system.

Only New Zealand and Australian residents and citizens, and those in the country on at least a two-year work permit, qualify for public health funding.

"We wouldn't have been able to afford the $65,000 dialysis treatment it would have cost us a year, and she would have surely died," Mr Stanners said.

The couple married in the Philippines in November, 2006.

Mrs Stanners was granted a 12-month visitor's visa when they moved to New Zealand the following April and was later granted work permits.

They have two New Zealand-born children: Josh, 2, and Izzy, 7 months. Mrs Stanners was diagnosed with advanced kidney disease 20 weeks into her second pregnancy late last year.