But this has come at a large cost - $90,000.
The 59-year-old has stage 4 choroidal melanoma, which is terminal, and has tumours on his liver and kidney.
He has not been able to have these operated on, or have radiotherapy or chemotherapy.
But the treatment using Keytruda is working and “the tumours are shrinking,” he said.
If it wasn’t for this, he said: “I’d probably have a really nice headstone, I’d be dead.”
It could prolong his life for an unknown amount of time, but he has had to borrow $90,000 against his family home to afford it.
But he did not realise the treatment he needed was not funded in New Zealand and this came as a shock.
A Givealittle page has been created to try and raise the $90,000 so Haimes’ wife Reecy Den-Heijer and children Grace, 13, and Wolf, 8, will not be left in debt.
Reecy is studying to be a radiologist and Haimes wants to ensure his family will be able to survive financially if his condition deteriorates.
Said Haimes: “If I deteriorate quickly, I don’t want to leave my wife with any debt or stress.”
The Givealittle page was started last week and more than $8000 has been raised so far.
The treatment is working so well, and Haimes is back working in his construction job and has been able to get out and about to spend quality time with his children, including camping at Pigeon Bay.
Haimes receives treatment once a week at St George’s Hospital.
Donate to the Givealittle page to support Dave Haimes and his family here.
