1 in 3 New Zealanders will face cancer in their lifetime.
As Luke buckled over with severe abdominal pain, he had no idea that his entire world was about to turn upside down. Luke was rushed to hospital, where he lay alone in a sterile hospital bed, his mind racing.
“I was thinking, man, this is not good… The doctors held my hand, and said..”
‘Luke, you’ve got stage 4 bowel cancer.’ The first thing that you ask is, ‘Am I going to die?"
Shocked and heartbroken, Luke’s mind went to his wife, Cushla, and sons Hunter (9) Theo (6).
“They had to do an urgent resection of my bowel, but I was only hearing every fourth word. If I’d left it for another 36 hours, I’d be dead."
Luke needed an emergency operation to remove much of his cancer-ridden bowel, and a stoma was inserted. But Luke’s sad news did not end there – the cancer had metastasized to Luke’s liver, and his right lung. He had to face every father’s nightmare of telling his young sons, along with his extended family who were all devastated.
“I wanted them to know that I’ve been afflicted with something that has a potential outcome to take my life, but everyone’s going to do everything they can to make sure I’m here as long as possible.”
It was during chemotherapy, that a cancer navigator provided free expert advice, care, and a listening ear when Luke needed it most.
Luke said, “It was so great being able to call my cancer navigator, which I’ve done numerous times, and get some much-needed guidance. It really calmed my mind.”
Our dedicated team of cancer navigators deliver a wide range of individual support services, including one-on-one emotional and practical support, information, resources and advice in navigating the healthcare system.
Throughout Luke’s cancer journey, Cushla has been his rock, holding the family together with her practical mind and calming presence. All too often carers get overlooked as they try to stay strong for everyone.
It is during devastating moments like these that your donation provides wraparound care and valuable support through our cancer navigation services and enables us to extend our reach to more local families across the South Island.
This Daffodil Day, we need your support more than ever to ensure crucial cancer care and life saving research is there, for the 1 in 3 New Zealanders diagnosed with cancer each year. You have the power to change the lives of individuals facing cancer. Can we count on you to make a generous donation.
Thank you for your valuable support this Daffodil day.
For important updates on our work and thanking our communities this Daffodil Day, read our latest newsletter.
