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Standing Beside Bob And Becky Through a Medical Crisis

  • One Down, Five To Go! - The Road So Far

      25 June 2026

    Yesterday, as we celebrated Bob finishing his first round of chemo (1 down, 5 to go), we also reflect on the journey so far and the deep care of our community...

    Jan — Bob was diagnosed with a brain tumour & underwent emergency surgery

    Feb — a weekly meal roster supported the family with food & this givealittle with finances

    Mar — Bob started daily radiotherapy, with a volunteer driver team making the Te Puke–Tauranga commute for 6 weeks

    Apr — His radiotherapy finished & our attention turns to their visa situation

    May — just as visa applications are being prepared, an accidental fire destroys their home. Our community rallies again — accommodation, clothes, food! A week later, Bob starts chemo

    Jun — Support continues to come in - even the schools run neat activities to fundraise. Loosing their identity documents in the fire complicates the visa process; an urgent humanitarian appeal has been made to Immigration

    This journey has been more than hard and is definitely taking its toll. These are exceptional circumstances — a heavy burden on body, mind and spirit. Becky has been a wonder woman holding her family together; the children mostly still smile at school, but you can see worry lurking.

    What's next? Bob needs to rest before his next chemo, a house needs to be found, and while we wait, we pray - for compassion at the highest levels.

    We are so deeply grateful for every donation here — it is currently the only thing standing between this family and further hardship.

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  • Celebrating the End of Radiotherapy

      21 April 2026

    Last week marked a significant milestone in Bob’s cancer journey—he completed his radiotherapy treatment. That afternoon, I received this message from his driver:

    "In the cancer journey, when a patient finishes his last treatment, he gets to ring a bell, which sits in Reception, as a celebration. This morning Bob got to ring the bell, to clapping and cheering by staff and those of us in the waiting room. A pretty special occasion and Bob had the biggest grin!"

    That message brought tears to my eyes. Having been on a cancer journey myself, I understand the significance of moments like these. It was a celebration of survival, strength, courage, and hope. Bob, Becky, and I are grateful to share it with you.

    Bob has coped incredibly well with an intensive radiotherapy regime—daily sessions for six weeks. Although tired, he has remained positive and well. He’s been supported by an amazing team of drivers who have “hopscotched” him each day from Pongakawa to Te Puke to the hospital and back, and we are so thankful for them.

    He now has a couple of weeks to recover before beginning a 36-week chemotherapy schedule. During this time, we’re also working on his visa—prayers appreciated.

    Bob and Becky would like to express their heartfelt thanks to everyone who has supported and cared for them through this challenging season. Your donations continue to help with rent, utilities, and family expenses. Thank you.

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  • Bob Starts Treatment Today

      3 March 2026
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    Today is a big day for Bob and Becky — one filled with emotion. Bob begins radiotherapy, and they’ve said goodbye to their youngest, Harrison (3), who is travelling to Vanuatu to stay with family for the next month.

    Bob faces a long road ahead: six and a half weeks of daily radiotherapy, requiring transport to and from the clinic each day. Neither he nor Becky can drive, so they are incredibly grateful for the dedicated volunteers helping him attend every appointment.

    After radiotherapy come six cycles of chemotherapy, each lasting six weeks — extending treatment to nearly a year from his initial operation. The impact on their home life, finances, and wellbeing is significant.

    Difficult decisions are being made, including sending Harrison away (children aren’t allowed at the clinic). Future finances will be tight — WINZ declined their emergency benefit application, and Bob’s sick leave has run out.

    Yet there is much to be thankful for. This Givealittle fund will cover Bob and Becky’s essential needs during radiotherapy and hopefully beyond — rent, power, gas, phones, food. Without it, they would have fallen through the cracks.

    Today, Bob doesn’t start treatment alone — he carries your support with him. Becky doesn’t have to worry about keeping food on the table or a roof overhead, because you are standing beside her.

    Please do keep sharing this page, so that they can be supported beyond Radiotherapy. This fund means everything to them - it really is a lifeline!

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  • A huge, massive thank you!

      18 February 2026

    Thank you from Bob, Becky and I to everyone who is supporting the Tafan family through this difficult time. They feel the community's love and are so blessed by a nutritious meal every evening and the incredibly generous financial support coming through on givealittle! This week we have met with the cancer specialist team who have outlined Bob's treatment plan and also had a number of meetings to look at sustainable financial support in their future. We will update further once all that info has had a chance to settle. It is going to be a long road ahead for this family, but they walk it with courage and gratefulness, knowing there are many, many, many people holding their hands. They thank God and they thank you! - Please do watch the personal thank you video attached (filmed spontaneously while we were stuck with a flat tyre on the roadside this afternoon).

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