Supporting Tariu Kautai through his Chondrosarcoma cancer fight

Tariu (Tudz) is an amazing 34 year old father, partner, son, brother, uncle and mate who needs some help.

Tudz had a fall in September 2019, which hurt his shoulder, the x-rays showed a small crack and a bone lesion. After some tests and biopsies Tudz and his whanau received the devastating news that the lesion was a rare high grade Chondrosarcoma. This cancer cannot be treated with radiation or chemotherapy.

Further information on this cancer is found at: https://csfshayna.org/what-is-chondrosarcoma/

In January 2020 Tudz underwent surgery to have a full reverse shoulder replacement done to remove the cancerous tumour out of his scapula. This surgery meant he could no longer work as a builder and provide for his whanau.

This rare cancer has a chance of spreading to lungs and unfortunately while his lungs where clear before the surgery, follow up scans revealed in September 2020 that the cancer had metastasised into both of his lungs. Because radiation and chemotherapy have no effect on Chondrosarcoma we have been told that there is no treatment, available in the public health system.

However there is one final “Hail Mary” we can throw to get a final answer, by sending a tissue sample of his original tumour overseas to Foundation One, for genomic profiling. Foundation One will search the genes for cancer-relevant mutations in the DNA of the tumour and hopefully find a course of treatment. Which, will give Tudz a chance to have more precious time with his beautiful whanau.