Elvis’ battle is over
A Manawatu¯ father has fought his last battle only weeks after starting a new cancer treatment as a last hope for more time with his five children. Elvis Rukuwai was a prominent man in the Feilding community, having supported rugby league and union in the area for 20 years. He died at Arohanui Hospice in Palmerston North on Wednesday, aged 44. Longtime friend Kane Reid said respect for Rukuwai was shown by the thousands who donated their money and turned up to fundraising drives to help grant his final wish, more time with his young family. Rukuwai was fighting for more life while battling bowel cancer, and needed public funding to help. Following an elaborate surgery and months of chemotherapy, he believed he had beaten cancer after he was diagnosed last April. With the crushing news that this time it was terminal, his only hope was 10 treatments of advanced chemotherapy at $6000 each, which were not Government-funded. He completed only three treatments. Although there was no guarantee the therapy would work and no estimate for how long it could prolong his life, Rukuwai was hopeful through to the end. ‘‘He was never not positive, that fella,’’ Reid said. ‘‘That’s why everyone came out. That’s why we could do what we did. He leaves behind his wife, Kerimichele, and their five kids, Cian, Tiwha, Rakaunui, Eve and Tohu. ‘‘They’re hurting. It’s only been one day, and today is another day.’’ Speaking to Stuff in February, Rukuwai hoped he would live long enough to see his 2-year-old son go to school. His daughter, Cian, 19, had spent the past two years working under her father in the meatworks, during which time they had developed a close bond. ‘‘There could be no-one I could love more that I could lose,’’ she told Stuff in February. Hundreds of friends and family turned up at Johnston Park, in Feilding, on February 24 to play rugby, touch and league in his honour, and helped raise about $20,000 of the $60,000 he needed for chemotherapy.