Dying dad’s last hope
A Manawatu¯ father with terminal cancer is starting a new treatment as a last hope for more time with his five children.
Elvis Rukuwai’s family broke down in tears talking about how they don’t want their loving father, husband and prominent man in the Feilding community to die before his 45th birthday in December.
Rukuwai is fighting for more life while battling bowel cancer, and needs public funding to help.
Following an elaborate surgery and months of chemotherapy, the man who has supported rugby league and union in Manawatu¯ for 20 years believed he had beaten cancer after he was diagnosed last April.
With the crushing news that this time it was terminal, an online campaign and fundraising event was launched to help grant his final wish, more time with his young family.
He requires 10 treatments of advanced chemotherapy at $6000 each, which are not Government funded.
There is no guarantee the therapy will work and no estimate for how long it may prolong his life.
Telling his family, including his kids, who range in age from 2 to 19, that he was terminal was the hardest thing Rukuwai has ever had to do.
‘‘They’re everything,’’ he said of his family. ‘‘If I was alone, no, it wouldn’t matter.
‘‘You go through chemo thinking: ‘Yes, I’ve done it’. To be told [you are] terminal is like a kick in the gut.’’
Looking back, the meat processing supervisor admitted he didn’t feel like himself in the months leading up to his diagnosis.
Now, he hoped to see his 2-yearold son go to school.
Hundreds of people have already thrown their support behind the cause, with a Givealittle page reaching $8100 from 140 donors just two weeks after it was set up.
Meanwhile, close mate Kane Reid has organised a ‘‘Funds 4 Elvis’’ event, involving games of touch rugby, union and league at Feilding Old Boys’ O¯ roua Stags’ home ground Johnston Park, where Rukuwai played for 19 years.
Rukuwai has played all three codes, and those coming to the event on Sunday will contribute a donation. Following the game, several donated items will be auctioned.
Reid, who trains rival club Feilding Yellows, said the Stags club was one big family. ‘‘I’m the enemy at the moment and you wouldn’t think it.’’
Cian Rukuwai, 19, had spent the past two years working under her father, during which time they had developed a close bond.
‘‘It was completely devastating,’’ she said of the moment her father was diagnosed terminal.
‘‘He is probably the most I could ever lose. There could be no-one I could love more that I could lose.
‘‘I still need my dad, and my siblings still need their dad. But, when the time comes, it comes.’’
Cian said there was no embarrassment taking money from people who wanted to give.
‘‘It’s all pure love and pure respect, and that’s all he deserves.’’
‘‘I still need my dad, and my siblings still need their dad. But, when the time comes, it comes.’’
Cian Rukuwai