Eva loses her cancer battle
Inspirational teen’s fight for better world raised $70,000, writes Michael Neilson
AKiwi teen who has been inspiring people around the world fighting for women’s and survivors’ rights has lost her battle with cancer.
Eva McGauley, 18, was diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma, a rare type of head and neck cancer, three years ago.
While undergoing treatment she continued to fight for a better world, raising money for a sexual abuse assistance programme, and setting up the charity Eva’s Wish, with the aim of stopping sexual violence and supporting survivors.
Her work raised more than $70,000.
McGauley died on Sunday morning, surrounded by her loved ones.
In May she had travelled to the United States where she attended an exhibition in New York as one of the subjects of the book 200 Women: Who Will Change the Way You See the World.
The book profiled influential women including conservationist Jane Goodall, author Margaret Atwood, and New Zealand national sexual violence survivor advocate Louise Nicholas.
“[Eva] said she looked upon me as a hero, she will always be mine,” Nicholas said.
“The way she just put herself out there, regardless of her illness, she is such an inspiration, to everybody.
“She has left a legacy and I hope our young people will be inspired to carry it on.”
The young Wellingtonian became a member of the Wellington Rape Crisis centre at 13.
She was nominated this year in the youth category for Wellingtonian of the Year, and also met the Duke and Duchess of Sussex during their recent tour of New Zealand.
This year she started a bachelor of arts majoring in political science at Victoria University of Wellington.
Nicholas said she received the news her “hero” had passed away yesterday. “I couldn’t even respond, I just felt empty.
“It was such a privilege to know her and her mum. I am really feeling for her mum and her family.”
The two had met several years ago in a Wellington cafe, after McGauley contacted Nicholas.
“We talked and talked and we never let go of each other.
“She was such a beautiful young woman, who did so much for so many, taken far too soon.”
Nicholas said would always remember McGauley’s strong determination.
“One thing I will always remember is how she would never let the cancer beat her. She was so positive and vibrant, and we all fed off that.
“Her smile, her beauty inside and out will long be remembered. I think we’ll look at the night sky and she’ll be the brightest star.”
Green Party MP Chloe Swarbrick said her heart sank when she learned of McGauley’s passing.
“Eva was the kind of person who left people speechless with her passion for her work. Her generosity, wisdom and kindness, in fighting for what she believed in. She was an inspiration.”
During her US visit this year McGauley was invited to meet feminist icon Gloria Steinem at her New York home. They talked for a couple of hours.
“It was one of those conversations where you come away feeling a lot of hope for the world,” McGauley said later. “It left [me] feeling very empowered and happy and hopeful.”
After her initial diagnosis in February 2015, McGauley had intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy and was told initially she was in remission. But she learned the cancer had spread to her hip and a lymph node in her chest and the disease was terminal.
Despite this she kept bravely fighting the disease while using her time to make a difference.
She set up the charity Eva’s Wish with the aim of stopping sexual violence and supporting survivors, and raised money for sexual abuse assistance foundation HELP Auckland.
This year Safe to Talk, the government-run sexual harm helpline she helped create, was launched.
McGauley said previously she drew strength to keep going by doing “the things that I really love and enjoy”.
“[And] what’s the alternative? Locking yourself away and just being sad, that’s never been an option for me.
“I want to keep doing as much as I can to make this country safer.”
As well as studying and enjoying the company of family and friends, McGauley had said she wanted to continue fighting for women’s rights and survivors’ rights in New Zealand.
One thing I will always remember is how she would never let the cancer beat her. She was so positive and vibrant, and we all fed off that. Louise Nicholas, sexual violence survivor advocate