John Whittaker's journey with stage 4 cancer

Kiwi rugby league legend John Whittaker is facing one of the biggest challenges of his life.

John has been diagnosed with stage 4 tongue cancer, which has spread to his lymph nodes, liver and prostate. It is too big to operate on and he has started a course of chemotherapy, this will be followed up later with radiation treatment. Due to a large tumour on his tongue and lymph nodes (of the neck) he can only receive nutrients through a P.E.G. stomach feeding tube.

Loved and admired by many for his years of giving to both New Zealand and Cook Islands Rugby League, John began playing with the Randwick club, in Wellington NZ, and was involved in multiple premierships with Randwick from 1968 through to 1983. He also played for Wellington a record 73 times. John made his international debut for the New Zealand national rugby league team in 1970 and went on to play for the Kiwis in twenty four matches, including four world cups, with an international career that spanned thirteen seasons. He has represented the Cook Islands in the 1986 Pacific Cup.

Now the father of two and grandfather to four, affectionately known as 'Poppy', needs your support.

His daughers Tania and Bianca Whittaker love their dad dearly and are doing their best to support him through his treatments, tests, pain management and day-to-day life. It has been a difficult time for all. The main goal of the family is to give John a positive quality of life - as free of pain as he can be - and to extend his time here with us all, for as long as they possibly can.

They can't do this on their own though and every little bit you can give will go a long way towards helping and will mean the world to John and the family.

The funds will be used to support the family to pay for any medical treatments that aren’t covered by ACC or public health, but are mainly to help with the cost of complementary therapies such as intravenous vitamin c, ozone sauna treatments, Māori medicine and nutritional needs. Any additional funds will be used to make him as comfortable as possible. He would also like to go back to his homeland of Rarotonga at least once between treatments, with his daughters and grandchildren. Maybe even an NRL game!

John is the proud grandfather/Poppy to Tiani, Peoni, Ioane and Khan. They bring him joy and laughter and are the light of his life.

This is our chance to show our love for John and be there for him, in his hour of need. Big or small, every little contribution counts. Please give generously.