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Rally for Tepora, 14, Facing Leukemia with an Autistic Sibling

  • Tepora's first steps after having leukaemia

      25 November 2025

    After months of fighting leukaemia and spending so much time in Starship Hospital in Auckland, Tepora has officially been told he is cancer free. ❤

    It’s hard to put into words what this journey has been like — the fear, the hope, the waiting, the small victories, and now this huge milestone. He’s now at a physical rehabilitation centre, learning to walk again after everything his body has been through.

    Below is a video showing Tepora’s first steps — a moment we weren’t sure we’d ever get to see, and one that fills our whole family with so much pride and gratitude.

    Tepora has shown a strength far beyond his years — brave, determined, resilient, and truly extraordinary. Watching him fight with such courage has been inspiring for all of us. He is one of the strongest and most special kids we know, and we’re in awe of everything he’s overcome.

    To everyone who has supported us along the way — thank you. We couldn’t have made it through this without you. Your kindness has meant more than you know.

    Here’s to healing, strength, and brighter days ahead. 💛

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  • A message from Fiona...

      18 July 2025
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    Hi everyone,

    It’s been a while, so here’s an update on Tepora’s journey. He’s had ups and downs, requiring extra blood, platelets, and lipids, along with physiotherapy, various medications, and a feeding tube to deliver high-calorie nutrition. The chemo targets new cells, which makes weight gain challenging, so we’re ensuring he gets plenty of calories to keep his strength up.

    Today, Tepora had recovered from a bad fever which he’s had for a few days now, and the amazing staff have manage it perfectly and kept him out of the ICU. Overall, he’s moving in the right direction. The medical team is planning the next two rounds of chemo, taking it step-by-step, testing after each treatment to guide the next phase. It’s an intense process, but we’re taking it one day at a time to stay grounded.

    We’re so grateful for the incredible care and support surrounding Tepora. Thank you all for your love and encouragement—it means the world to us! 🥰💕

    With love,

    Fiona

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  • Update on Tepora’s Journey – Thank You for Your Support!

      6 July 2025
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    Hi everyone,

    We’re so grateful for the incredible love and support you’ve shown Tepora and our family. Thanks to you, things are starting to feel more stable, and we’re finding a manageable rhythm to support Tepora’s on-going treatment. Here’s what’s been happening over the past few days:

    Tepora’s Progress: He’s now making his own blood, which is a huge step forward! His white blood cells are still low due to chemo, but he’s free of all tubes except the one in his chest for when it’s time for more chemo, lifting his spirits and letting him chat with friends while gaming online.

    Challenges and Wins: He’s dealing with hypersensitivity in one foot from pinched nerves (caused by long bed rest), but constant physiotherapy is helping him rebuild strength. The thought of avoiding a return to ICU is motivating him to eat well and stay committed to physio.

    Family Support: Ronald McDonald House has provided an apartment with a kitchen, so we can cook proper meals. Fiona’s been staying with Gabe, while John’s with Tepora. Nanny Jill has been able to return to her home in Tauranga as we settle into a routine.

    Hopeful Outlook: With your support, we’re in a place where we can focus on Tepora’s recovery, and it’s making all the difference.

    Your kindness has brought us to this point, and we can’t thank you enough. Please keep Tepora in your thoughts as he continues his fight!

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    • 07/07/2025 by Sue

      It's a miracle that Tepora has overcome so many set backs to reach this point. What a brave and resilient young man. Lots of love and prayers from Sue

  • Update and summary of Tepora's journey so far (with link to longer version)

      20 June 2025
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    Kia ora, whānau and friends,

    Thank you for supporting our nephew Tepora and his family through this "Give a Little" campaign. Five weeks ago, Tepora was admitted to Tauranga Hospital, then airlifted to Starship Children’s Hospital. His grandmother, Jill, was with him. Tests confirmed leukemia with complications, and chemo began soon after.

    Tepora faced a strep infection, requiring ICU care, and appendicitis, which antibiotics helped resolve. After eleven days in ICU, he returned to the cancer ward. An autism diagnosis has allowed doctors to adapt care to his needs, reducing stress with anti-anxiety medication.

    Jill stayed by Tepora’s side until his condition stabilized, allowing her a brief break. Fiona, John, and Gabe (Tepora’s parents and brother) have managed challenges, with Gabe, who has severe autism, now handling longer hospital visits, helping the family stay together.

    Your support and the care from Ronald McDonald House and Starship’s team are making a difference. Read the full update here: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1FUYwBY4M1/

    Please keep them in your thoughts, and any further support is greatly appreciated.

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  • Relief and Hope: Tepora’s PICU Journey Continues

      10 June 2025
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    It’s been a big few days in the PICU for Tepora (Pediatric Intensive Care Unit). For the first three days, the staff didn’t realize how crucial his anti-anxiety and sensory sensitivity meds from the ward were, but thanks to an amazing social worker, that’s been sorted, and Tepora is now much more settled and coping better with his daily treatments.

    There’s good news on his strep infection—it’s improving! However, a new infection in his appendix is causing a high fever they’re working to manage. Overall, the doctors are optimistic, which is a huge relief for us all! 😅

    Thank you all for your incredible love and support—it means the world. 🥰💚🧡

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  • Update on Tepora - A Roller Coaster in the ICU

      4 June 2025

    Hello everyone,

    Holey moley, what a roller coaster! It’s been an E-MO-TION-AL time for us all! Our brave Tepora has a serious strep infection—lines going into his body made it easy for germs to get in. He’s in the Children’s ICU, where the amazing medical staff blasted him with general antibiotics until a culture identified the exact one needed.

    Yesterday morning, his heart was racing, he was boiling hot yet shaking with a fever. Now, he’s calmer, sleeping, and his stats are more stable. He’ll stay in the ICU with staff always by his side until this phase is under control. Today, he’s on targeted antibiotics for the strep infection, but he’s still extremely sick. We’re all anxiously awaiting the next update from the doctors.

    Jill (Fee’s mum) finally got out of the hospital—family can’t stay in the ICU—so it’s a blessing she could get some time with Fee, John, and Gabe at the Ronald McDonald House. Last night, a midnight call brought Jill and John back to comfort Tepora, who was anxious in the new space.

    Things are very serious, but we’re so grateful for the awesome medical staff ❤❤❤ and the support of Ronald McDonald House. Please keep sending your love and prayers to Tepora, Fee, John, Jill, Gabe, and our family as we navigate this tough time. We’ll keep you posted!

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  • Update on Tepora: Recent Wins and Next Steps

      31 May 2025
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    A message from Fiona...

    Hi guys, Tepora has had 3 MRI scans so far; the last one was yesterday to check on his progress with chemo. The lumps on his head and spine are reducing! 😊 He needs to start gaining weight, but luckily he’s started eating over the last couple of days. :) Overall, he’s showing improvement.

    They may need to use radiation on the lumps causing numbness in his lower back if the chemo doesn’t do enough, but they’re delaying that for now.

    The other really good thing is the team has gotten his anxiety and pain under control, so he’s calm and generally in a good mood now, which is a huge relief! 😊

    So, things are as good as can be expected at this stage. We all feel very lucky and grateful to have such awesome care and support for Our Boy! 🥰💕

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  • Donated Tech Brings Tepora Comfort Today

      26 May 2025

    Today, Tepora is feeling very unwell with an upset stomach due to the intense chemotherapy and medications he's undergoing. Thankfully, the hospital tech team installed a dongle on his TV, letting him dive into Disney Plus and enjoy his beloved Star Wars movies. He’s also using new Bluetooth, noise-canceling headphones donated to him, which help block out the beeping machines and keep him distracted with movies he loves. These gifts are making a huge difference to Tepora’s mental health, and we can’t thank our generous donors enough! As Tepora’s routine is getting a bit more repetitive, we’ll space out these updates moving forward. On behalf of Tepora and his family, thank you all so much for your love and support!

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  • The battle continues...

      25 May 2025

    Tepora is in the thick of it now, battling through full-on chemo, pain management, a feeding tube, and constant drips with other meds. He’s so brave but struggling to cope with all that’s happening.

    Today, being Sunday, the hospital is quieter, offering a bit of rest before physio starts tomorrow with a trial of his new wheelchair to help him sit up and move more. This is still early in his journey—this first planned treatment phase includes 2x 30-day cycles, so there’s a long way to go for our beautiful boy. We, the family, feel so blessed and grateful for your love and support—it means we never feel alone, and your kindness lifts us more than words can express.

    Thank you, everyone! 💕🩷

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  • Small Moments, Big Impact: Thanks for Supporting Tepora

      24 May 2025
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    Another huge thank you to everyone for your incredible love and support—it’s truly carrying Tepora and his family through these tough days!

    Tepora faced another challenging day. He hasn’t been eating, and despite Fee’s heroic efforts to coax him into having a yoghurt, it was a real struggle. To ensure he gets the nutrition he needs, the doctors and nurses have given him a feeding tube. They’re also running more tests, and we’re staying strong while anxiously awaiting the results.

    Your donations are making a massive difference, and in even more ways than we expected. For example, Nanny Jill and John can take Gabe to the hospital gift shop to choose a small toy, which keeps him occupied. Without this incentive, Gabe wouldn’t leave Fee’s side, but with it, Fee gets a few precious minutes alone with Tepora—moments that mean the world to her and Tepora.

    Your support makes these small but vital moments possible, and we’re endlessly grateful for every bit of love you’re sending Tepora’s way.

    So, to everyone who’s part of this journey… thank you!!!!

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  • Nanny Jill, the ***SUPERSTAR***

      23 May 2025
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    Hello everyone! Today, we’re celebrating Nanny Jill, Tepora’s incredible grandmother. From the first night Tepora was in hospital in Tauranga, before his helicopter transfer to Starship in Auckland, Nanny Jill has been his rock. She’s stayed by his side, keeping him company, tucking blankets over his legs, passing him what he needs, relaying medical updates to Fee and John, and managing visitors around Tepora’s schedule. She handles countless small but essential tasks that make all the difference. Sadly, Fee and John can only see their very sick son for a few precious minutes each day due to their responsibilities with Gabe, making Nanny Jill’s presence absolutely vital.

    Nanny Jill, we love you dearly and are so grateful for everything you do! xox

    She’s one of many unsung heroes in Tepora’s journey, and we’re endlessly thankful for everyone’s love and support.

    So, to everyone that's been part of this... thank you!!!!

    (we only have this one photo of Nanny Jill because she's also the photographer!)

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    • 23/05/2025 by Lorraine

      Such a beautiful tribute to Jill. How blessed you are to have her in your family. Jill touches so many lives with her sunshine personality and tge joy she brings us - her Jack Dusty Ukelele family. Thank you for your updates as we stay with you on Tepora's journey.

  • Another day has full of love and support!

      22 May 2025
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    Another rollercoaster day has passed, and we’re overwhelmed by the incredible love and support for Tepora and his family! Words can’t express our gratitude to everyone—we can’t thank you enough! Tepora, our gentle giant at 6’1”, is now undergoing regular chemotherapy and morphine, and soon his big beautiful hair will be gone. But thanks to your generosity, we’ve secured some small comforts to brighten his days. His hospital bed has been upgraded to fit his tall frame, no more dangling feet! A new Wi-Fi extender in his room ensures he can stream his favorite movies without a hitch. Even better, Give a Little approved our request for an urgent release of funds, meaning Fee and John can finally stop relying on credit cards for essentials like food. These little wins mean the world during this tough time, and they’re all thanks to you, our amazing supporters. Please keep sharing Tepora’s story—your support is making a huge difference! A heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone!

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  • Tepora’s condition has worsened

      21 May 2025
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    Hello everyone, thank you for your incredible support! Your donations are making a huge difference, and we can’t thank you enough! Sadly, Tepora’s condition has worsened. Recent scans of his head and spine revealed additional cancerous lumps, meaning we’re facing more than just leukemia. These scans only cover his head and spine, so we’re deeply concerned about what else might be found. Please keep the love, support, and donations coming for Tepora and our family—it means the world!

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  • Chemo started today

      20 May 2025

    Thank you all so much for the incredible love and support pouring in for Tepora and his family! Words can’t fully express how much your kindness means to them during this challenging time.

    Today, Tepora began aggressive chemotherapy. While this is a tough step, it’s a critical part of his journey. During his treatment, Jill (Tepora’s nana) and John (Tepora’s dad) took Gabe (his brother, who has autism) to the hospital’s toy room. Gabe had a hard time understanding why he couldn’t take the toys home, which led to a meltdown. To comfort him, they bought him some toys, which helped calm him down.

    This gave Fee some precious alone time with Tepora, which was incredibly meaningful for both of them.

    Right now, the family is struggling financially and relying on high-interest credit cards to get by. I’ve submitted an urgent request to Give a Little to release some of the donations early (they’re usually held until the end of the next month), and we’re hoping they’ll make an exception.

    Your donations are making a huge difference, and we’re so grateful for every contribution. Please keep sharing the Give a Little link and donating if you can—we’re only at the start of a long road ahead.

    Sending so much love to you all! ❤️

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