It's Hope or High Water for Duncan Morrison

Kia ora koutou, greetings everyone.

Many of you may know Duncan Morrison through his passionate project, The Pacific Voyagers and his commitment to campaigning for our pacific ocean and the well-being of our environment.

Some of us have known him longer than this, know him to be a man who has always advocated for those who don’t have the resources or the voice to help themselves.

Well now Duncan needs our help.

Early in July, out of nowhere, he was diagnosed with incurable pancreatic cancer, metastasised into his liver. Given a 5% chance of living from 1 to 5 years. Life expectancy after diagnosis 3 to 6 months.

As his doctor so blandly put, "Well, we can't cure you. Best we can do is manage it." Management in a western medicine sense is surgery, chemo, radio. A dead end with unfortunate emphasis on the dead.

With typical Duncan humour and grace, his response was “I've wondered for a long time how or what could follow The Voyage with all its intensity and power, well now I've found it, my next big adventure!”

His adventure has taken him to Tijuana Mexico to a well reputed cancer treatment facility, Hoxsey Biomedical Clinic which has a long history and plenty of stories of cures.

This obviously comes at a price and now we need your support.

Your money will go towards funding the $6,000 treatment fees of the Hoxsey Clinic plus doctor’s fees, physical examination, laboratory fees, X-rays and other radiology exams, as well as supplies and supplements. There's also his travel costs to and from Mexico, accommodation and living expenses for the next six months.

To quote Duncan, “There's an element of the unknown, but the way I see it, I don't have a choice. I do something now or I kiss my arse goodbye.

It feels very much like the Universe has aligned, or God's laid out a path, for me, depending on what language you use. It's a wonderful gift to have all the love and support that I do around me. Without a doubt, it'll be an interesting ride.”

Those of us who know Duncan would expect no less that he would bravely tackle this life threatening illness…as 'life's next adventure'.

Where most of us could not comprehend how we would deal with what could be a potential death sentence, this is a man who never shy's away from a challenge.

In 2010 Duncan took on one of the greatest tests of his life (well that is up until now) as a captain on one of the seven ocean voyaging canoes, called “Vaka Moana” and sailed from Aotearoa to Hawai’i, then to the West Coast of the United States completing the journey two years later after visiting San Diego, Cocos Islands, Galapagos, Tahiti, Cook Islands, Samoa, Fiji and Vanuatu.

The aim of this voyage, known as ‘Te Mana o Te Moana’ (The Spirit of the Ocean), was to reconnect with the traditions, with Pacific communities and with the ocean and to spread the message of ocean protection.

The mission is simple: Use the wisdom of the ancestors, combined with modern science, to propel us into a more sustainable future, to help heal our injured ocean, to raise awareness, and to revive the cultural traditions of voyaging. We know that the health of the oceans reflects the health of the people. And when we truly acknowledge this insight, when we are aware of extensive threats to the ocean, and when we care about the future of our children, the only logical step is to create a new vision, a sustainable sail plan based on values of interconnectedness, respect and stewardship.

The Pacific Voyager Kaumatua Hoturoa Kerr says “Duncan has touched the lives of many of the voyagers of the Pacific Ocean. He has captained Marumaruatua, Haunui and Faafaite te Ao Mohi. He has trained sailors to become captains. He has been a part of Te Toki Voyaging Trust helping us with our young people sharing his knowledge. He has been instrumental in helping and developing the sustainable future of our waka. He has become a friend and mentor to many people from different walks of life in Aotearoa. He is truly friend and whanau of both Haunui and Aotearoa One. As such we are calling on our friends and extended family to step up and help our friend and brother on this most difficult voyage. Your aroha and help will assist Duncan to receive the best therapy we can hope for. Arohanui”.

So the logical step now for you… is to give.

Here’s two ways you can help.

Give what you can on this site - the money lands directly in his account and right now, he really needs it;

AND

Buy his just-released book ‘Hope or High Water’, his beautiful commentary of his Pacific voyage. For just $15 you'll get an insight into the courage, spirit and humour of Duncan, our (your) dearest friend. Go to http://hopeorhighwater.com for details on how to purchase.