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TeamArian

  • All Blacks and NZ Musicians donate to raise funds for Arian!

      2 June 2016

    We're so excited to announce a new trademe auction that we've put together thanks to the kindness of our NZ celebrities.

    We have a signed All Blacks jersey, plus numerous albums donated by NZ Musicians such as Hollie Smith, Anna Coddington, Electric Wire Hustle, Sorceress, Moana and the Tribe, Trinity Roots, One Million Dollars and Sugarlicks Records.

    Have a look!! http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=1096178680&ed=true

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  • Zumba Fundraiser

      29 March 2016
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    Hi Everyone!

    Please come to the Zumba Fundraiser on the 9th of April at Westlake Boys High School. It will run from 3pm-4.30pm.

    It's going to be great fun, and all proceeds go to Arian's give a little trust fund :)

    Thank you! And please spread the word too! We want to get at least 200 people to attend this event.

    Much love,

    Team Arian

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  • Ludus Magnus Fundraiser: Gladiators Sweat It Out for Arian

      29 March 2016
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    We are so honoured that our friends and owners of Ludus Magnus Highbrook, Lisa and Fred Fa'afou organised a fundraiser for Arian on Easter Monday.

    While most people where in a sugar/food coma, members of Ludus Magnus and their coaches got up early and sweated it out by epic proportions (by my standards anyway!) all to help us get closer to our goal. We are very thankful and love you guys lots!

    If you want to join an epic gym, then check them out for sure! https://www.facebook.com/ludusmagnushighbrook/?fref=ts

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  • Delicious Lunch Fundraiser Raised $3000!!

      29 March 2016
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    A few weeks ago our family friends in Howick, Auckland, organised a delicious lunch to help raise funds for Arian's give a little trust.

    This event was flawlessly organised and run by close family friend's of Arian's grandmother. They had a selection of authentic South African and Indian food, as well as sweet delights such as Koeksisters and cupcakes. They even baked Arian a Rocketship cake!! It looked awesome, and tasted even better!

    In addition to the meals, they had a number of auctions, including massage vouchers and a boxing fitness kit.

    The even raised a huge $3000 for Arian, absolutely remarkable amount! We thank you wonderful ladies from the bottom of our hearts for holding such a successful event and making the time to do so.

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  • The Kindness of Strangers: Our Holiday in Taupo

      29 March 2016
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    When the NZ Herald Article was published online, we were contacted by many individuals and families from all around the world.

    One person, who was a stranger but now a cherished friend, contacted us with an unforgettable offer- a fully paid and organised trip to Taupo for all of us. His name is Sean Wakelin, a very busy businessman, husband and father of two beautiful children.

    In less than a month, he organised accomodation, flights, car rental, food, adventures and activities for our whole family. He basically brought together the Taupo community to host Arian, and give him an unforgettable holiday.

    We stayed in the presidential suite at a lake front hotel/resort, with beautiful views. We went sailing on lake Taupo. The water was the most intense blue, so clear that it was possible to see more than 40 metres of depth!! We also went to their hot pools, where Arian thoroughly enjoyed dunking his Aunty in the pools and chasing after his little brother :) We also went to the legendary Huka falls, WOW, so, so stunning! All of the restaurants we dined in were very hospital and served divine food!!

    The best part for Arian, though, was making friends with Sean and his business partner's children. It was amazing watching him instantly form friendships with others and play like a child again. It brought tears to our eyes.

    We will never, ever forget what Sean has done for Arian and our family and we are so thankful for his incomparable kindness and generosity. We're already planning our next visit, as Arian misses his friends. See you soon, Taupo :)!!

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  • Arian loves to Snowboard!

      29 March 2016
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    Everyone who has heard out story has gone over and above to make Arian's wishes come true. The lovely people at Snowplanet are also part of this growing group of wonderful, generous people.

    Arian has always wanted to see the snow, but being Summer/Autumn, it's kind of difficult to find real snow in NZ. We were quite worried that he may be too unwell to travel and enjoy the snow come winter in NZ, so we contacted Snowplanet to see if they could arrange and experience for him, which the quickly replied YES!

    They invited the whole family to come over for a complimentary afternoon of "tubing", where you basically sit in a tyre and slide down a ramp, reeeal fast. We thought that this would be perfect for Arian, who had never seen the snow, or felt what it's like to move on this type of surface...we definitely didn't think he would be up for anything else, as he is quite a cautious little guy.

    To our surprise, he wasn't even interested in the tubing. One look at the snowboards, and his eye widened. He was adamant that snowboard was the one for him.

    So we strapped him in, Mum got her Ski's sorted (she used to ski a lot as child in Tehran, Iran) and Dad also decided to give snowboard a go. And what do you know, Arian LOVED it. He wasn't even a little bit scared, nor did he complain about the cold :)

    Next we are going to get him his own snow gear so that we can take him to Snowplanet regularly and enjoy this new sport while he still can :)

    THANK YOU SNOWPLANET, YOU GUYS ROCK!!!

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  • Thank you Stardome Observatory and Planetarium :)

      29 March 2016
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    A few weeks ago the Stardome Observatory and Planetarium in Auckland invited Arian for a very special visit. Here he got to launch four home-made rockets, that propelled through the air using water and gas. Arian for to pull the trigger, they all made a big bang and flew 100s of meters up in the air. He absolutely loved it!.

    Next we had a look at the model space crafts, and were excited when we got to see part of one of the rockets that Rocketlab had built. Arian remembered visiting Rocketlab and hanging out with their CEO, Peter Beck, so it was really lovely for him to reminisce.

    Our wonderful hostess then took us into their rocket simulator, where we flew around our solar system and beyond! We visited Mars, Jupiter (plus it's moons) and Saturn.

    Lastly, we got to visit Arian's star. YES!! That's right, Stardome were so generous that they gave Arian an adopted star, that sits just outside the Southern Cross. We can always spot it :) What an honour!! The team at Stardome also sent us home with some astronaut ice-cream...which mum and dad may have enjoyed too much ;)

    Thank you Stardome Observatory, we can't wait to come back!

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  • We went to visit Rocket Lab, and TV3 came to film us :)

      21 February 2016

    Hi Everyone,

    Gosh, we are so so grateful to be able to tick off one of Arian's dreams of seeing real life rockets!

    The wonderful team at Rocket Lab allowed us to visit their offices to see the progress they have made with developing their Electron rocket that will be launched later this year.

    Arian loved meeting all the rocket scientists and engineers, and especially firing the rocket engine!! Their CEO, Peter Beck, spent the entire afternoon showing us around personally, while describing and showing us the different components that make up rockets. Arian got to play with the mission control simulator, and amazingly, got to write his name on the rocket they will be sending to space later this year.

    We had tears in our eyes, it was a magical day! Thank you Rocket Lab and thank you Simon Shepherd from TV3's NewsHub for capturing the moment.

    Click on this link to see the footage :) http://www.newshub.co.nz/nznews/young-boy-with-brain-tumour-fulfills-his-rocket-dream-2016022117#ixzz40mHqH1Y8

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  • THANK YOU!

      5 February 2016
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    Wow, we are so, so, SOOO, overwhelmed by everyone's generosity. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all of your support in every shape and form.

    Arian finished radiotherapy exactly a week ago, and we are slowly weening him off the steroids (dexamethasone) that he's been taking to reduce the swelling to his brain.

    After the first 4 weeks of radiotherapy (he had 6 weeks in total), we noticed that his eye function came back, and the left side of his face that had started to become paralysed had also gone back to normal function! This is wonderful news as it is proof that the radiotherapy has done its job :) We were very worried as not all children with DIPG respond well to this treatment.

    Now we are enjoying our time with Arian as much as possible, and trying to stay positive. Arian is also loving spending time playing with his little brother, who turned 9 months this week :)

    With regards to the next steps, we are still in discussion with our team of oncologists to devise the plan of action. Because there are no other proven treatments, only experimental trials, we have to be careful about what we choose. We don't want to compromise Arian's quality of life, and force him to live in a hospital for months, especially when we can't be sure that the trial will prolong his life. It's a very tricky situation.

    Knowing we have so much aroha around us is comforting and uplifting- even from people who we have never met! You're all incredible people.

    Much love from the Taherians and Truters :)

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