Cancer-hit rugby player ‘blessed’ by support
Rugby friends are rallying around cancer-stricken former Canterbury Country wing Pita Sekilagi, who has been forced to return to Fiji for urgent chemotherapy treatment.
Sekilagi’s Oxford, North Canterbury and Canterbury Country teammate Ben Gorst has set up a Givealittle page to raise funds for a course of chemotherapy for the 26-year-old Canterbury sevens team prospect.
Gorst – Sekilagi’s boss at Christchurch company Fahey Fence Hire – said his newly married friend had been diagnosed with cancer ‘‘which has aggressively spread into its second stage’’.
With Sekilagi ‘‘not eligible for treatment in New Zealand’’, Gorst took him home to Fiji late last week.
‘‘Ideally, he should be treated immediately in New Zealand, but circumstances beyond our control have led to his current situation.
‘‘Health care in Fiji is primitive and we have learned that the chemotherapy will take two weeks to arrive, meaning he will be three weeks behind where he should be for his treatment and leaving a cloud over his survival.
‘‘Basic living costs in Fiji are expensive, as I learned when I accompanied him and his wife home to their small village in Lautoka.’’
Gorst said Sekilagi had been ‘‘knocking on the door of rugby stardom’’ in Canterbury as ‘‘not only the fastest Fijian in the region, but someone who is loved by everyone and his gentle and kind nature brings a smile to all’’.
Sekilagi starred for Ashley, North Canterbury and Canterbury Country in 2016. He won the hearts of North Canterbury fans with two tries in the 39-14 Southbridge Shield victory over Ellesmere at Darfield.
He switched to the Oxford club in 2017 and stood out on North Canterbury’s two-match Queensland tour, impressing with a 60th minute burst that led to a try in a narrow loss to Queensland Country.
He was expected to be part of the Canterbury sevens squad this season and potentially be in line for a place in the Canterbury provincial team’s wider training group.
Gorst said Sekilagi first felt unwell the week before Oxford’s North Canter- bury grand final game Saracens in August.
But he did not seek treatment initially.
After falling ill at work, he was taken to Christchurch Hospital early last week where it was confirmed he had ‘‘a secondary form of cancer’’ which had spread, Gorst said.
Sekilagi had not been in New Zealand long enough to be eligible for permanent residency and was therefore not entitled to state medical care.
‘‘The only option was to take him home to Fiji,’’ Gorst said.
The cost of chemotherapy treatment had to be approved by the Fijian Government, which could take several weeks, Gorst said.
Sekilagi was also exploring natural healing options.
‘‘As long as he can get this chemotherapy within Fiji in the next week or against fortnight, there’s a sprinkling of hope,’’ Gorst said.
Sekilagi’s travel and immediate costs had been covered by the ‘‘Fahey family, but the Givealittle campaign was launched to continue the support for him, his care and for any quality of life’’.
The fund stood at over $4200 on Friday morning.
Donors included some of Sekilagi’s North Canterbury teammates.
Canterbury sevens team officials and Canterbury’s tightknit Fijian rugby community have also provided support.
Gorst said the money would be used to ‘‘provide financial support for Pita’s treatment and care’’.
‘‘Pita will need help with living expenses and transport while he fights the battle of his life and undergoes chemotherapy.’’