Making the most of our time with dad - wedding

The Thompson whānau have been through a lot, including the recent terminal cancer diagnosis for their beloved dad. Rachel and her long-term partner, Ronnie, have decided to get married, so that they can share this special day with him. You can read the full story below.

I've known the Thompson whānau since I was a teenager and they have always been a loving, close-knit family who have given me one of my dearest friends, Rachel. Unfortunately in 2018, Rachel's dad, Roger, was diagnosed with tongue cancer, the same year that Rachel's little boy was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Roger beat the cancer, but the radiation therapy that saved his life caused significant damage to his throat, meaning that he could no longer swallow and needed to be tube fed. The radiation also caused the bones in his neck to weaken, putting him in tremendous pain and at risk of his bones breaking. Devastatingly, subsequent scans of his vertebrae revealed the cancer had moved to his lungs. In such a weakened state, Rachel's family knew that Roger wouldn't be able to survive it.

Determined to make the most of their remaining time together, Rachel and her long-term partner, Ronnie, have decided to get married in April. In Rachel's own words:

"The past two years have been extremely trying and our close-knit family is beyond devastated, but it is my dad's wish that we make the absolute most of the time we have left with him. He does not want this horrible disease to lay waste to us all. This is the reason why we want to get married, as it will bring light into this darkness. And most importantly for me, I want my rock, the strongest and bravest man I know, to walk me down the aisle."

With four kids of their own, Rachel and Ronnie haven't had much time or opportunity to save up for a wedding. The current budget is modest and their wedding will be lovely, but we'd love to support them further to ensure that it is the best day possible for them and their families.

If you're a wedding guest, a family member, a friend or a stranger, your gift will lift a burden off Rachel and Ronnie's backs so that they can just focus on having a truly special and wonderful day with their loved ones.

A portion of any money raised will also be donated to the Cancer Society, who have done so much for Roger and his family.