Help Elijah and his family

Howie and Nat' have given permission for this page being established.

Their 5 year old son Elijah has been recently diagnosed with b-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. This will require him and his family to spend a lot of time in Auckland. At this stage it will be weekly trips to Auckland

Backstory:

Elijah had only been at school for 3 and a half months and loved it. He had been feeling tired, weary, and lethargic and had lost interest in many things that he would normally participate in. So Howie,(dad) and (Natalie, mum), took him to the mountain to give him a boost of excitement. He loved the idea. They were only there a short time but he just wasn't responding the way a 5 year old should when seeing snow for the first time. Unfortunately they noticed a decline in his interest and mood and immediately took him to the hospital where they were told he would be flown to Starship hospital immediately.

Testing found the b-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and life as they know it has been; living at Starship for three weeks and now, due to COVID in Auckland, commuting from Waverley, Taranaki to the hospital, every week. A 7-8 hour journey for a very sick little boy, and return is possibly one day after treatment.

Howie and Nat' are not a couple who ask for help of any kind and, even now won't put their hands out, they're troopers, but their baby is mauiui(sick), like so many other children who have to be at Starship. (Kore nga kupu), there are no words. But their families and friends are helping in any way they can. Setting up this, give a little page, is one way anyone, who wishes to, can help in their own small way.

COVID-19 has meant patients, who were able to, have returned home and now Elijah and his family must commute for weekly treatment. There are strict protocols in place for entering and exiting the hospital to ensure ongoing safety of everyone. Double whammy.

Any contributions are very much appreciated, especially, your words of encouragement.

Kia whakapiki ai a ratou ngakau me hinengaro i tenei waa awangawanga.

Help to uplift their hearts and minds during this agonising time.