Family reels as rare cancer strikes son
ONE of North Queensland’s most promising teenage rugby league players has put his sporting career on hold to fight a life- threatening illness.
Kaiya- Gene Kerekere, who is enrolled in Kirwan State High School’s coveted Sports Academy and has represented North Queensland, has a rare form of throat cancer, synovial farcoma.
His parents, Eugene and Terri Kerekere, and three brothers, including Kaelin, a Townsville Blackhawks and Cowboys Academy player, are maintaining a bedside vigil at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane.
“Being told your child has cancer is as bad as it gets,” Mrs Kerekere said. “It is the worst thing imaginable.
“Our healthy and vibrant son is sick. We can’t really believe it.”
The Kerekere family, well- known in the North’s rugby league community and in Townsville’s Maori community, have put their lives on hold to support Kaiya- Gene, 15.
“We found out last month that Kaiya had this cancer and we have all dropped everything to be by his side,” Mrs Kerekere said. “At the moment we are waiting to find out what Kaiya’s treatment plan is.”
The Year 10 student underwent surgery last week to remove a giant tumour on his neck and is now fighting an infection.
“Doctors have to wait until the infection is cleared to decide what to do next, be it further surgery, chemo and radiation,” Mrs Kerekere said. “It’s all very frightening for us.
“Every day is a battle for us and every day we are praying for his health.”
Despite his illness, KaiyaGene is in good spirits.
“Despite it all, he still shines with his smile,” Mrs Kerekere said. “He still makes jokes. He is an inspiration and I feel so lucky he has such a fighting spirit.”
Family friend Tamie Buchanan is organising fundraising for the Kerekeres.
“They are such a wonderful caring family who have given so much to the community,” she said.
“They are the type of family who would put their hands up to help anyone else going through this tragedy.”
Ms Buchanan, who owns Tambition Fitness, said Kaiya- Gene’s diagnosis was not only an emotional time for the family, but a financially draining one as well.
“They have had to take leave from work and pay for accommodation in Brisbane and that’s a costly thing for any family,” she said. “I want them to be able to solely focus on Kaiya, and not have to worry too much about the financial side of things.”
A fundraising walk up Castle Hill will be held this Sunday at 9am for $ 5 per person. Go to Kaiya- Gene Kerekere’s Journey Facebook page or phone Ms Buchananon 0432 786 800
BEING TOLD YOU CHILD HAS CANCER IS AS BAD AS IT GETS. OUR HEALTHY AND VIBRANT SON IS SICK. WE CAN’T REALLY BELIEVE IT.
TERRI KEREKERE