Shave to serve - help children & family impacted by child cancer.

Hi, I'm Céline Luthereau. On the 21st of November, I will be shaving my head to raise money for the Child Cancer Foundation. My hair will also be donated to be made into charitable wigs. Any amount of donation will mean so much. Read my story below to understand how your help could really make a difference.

I lost my father to cancer earlier this year, he passed away at 76 years old. Watching the people we love suffer is heartache beyond imaginable. Leading to my father's passing, it was some of the most difficult times of my life.

I've just saved up enough money to go see my dad last year, just before the pandemic happened and before he got sick. I haven’t seen him in many years now.

He lives in the Philippines, he has no family there. My dad got sick, in the middle of Covid, mid-2020, borders were closed, entering countries was difficult. At the time, leaving here practically meant never coming back.

From New Zealand, I tried my best to care for my father. With the distance & with not a lot of money, I spent everything I had to get full-time care for my father amongst other necessities. I needed to do this, as he was not well taken care of before the private nurses, I couldn't trust the carers that he had, many events happened at the hospital that almost killed my father. He was in a poor country after all, so health care is not always the best. With the nurses I hired, I was reported daily on every movement, what he ate, how he felt, how much he peed, his blood pressure, his blood counts, which doctors came in, what medication he took, 24/7 I knew everything. To keep up with the cost, I had to work full-time, with the time difference, I was on the phone before work, after work, at night, checking in on everything, getting updates from the oncologist, hematologist, cardiologist and so many other doctors looking after my father. I managed to convince our insurance which paid a huge part of the bills, to transfer him to one of the top hospitals in the Philippines, and there, things were more professional, with the necessary equipment which resulted in us knowing he had blood cancer. The plan was to eventually get him to France so we could be reunited. Tho I had to be really strategic, if you've ever had to deal with insurance, there are certain criteria you need to meet before they will accept spending this much money. Organizing everything was not simple, I had to ensure the ambulances, the private jet, the hospitals on both ends; on one end they won't release him if bills aren't settled and on the other end, I had to make sure I had private nurses there, ready to care for my father. It took few attempts before the transfer went forward. My dad said "Baby, I had the whole plane to myself, I felt like a king, how did you do that?", he was so happy.

So much has happened already, by this time it was emotionally so hard for both of us. My dad tho was suffering, with catheters in his back draining fluid from his lungs, he has tubes everywhere, his arms fully bruised from all the blood tests, exhausted from all the procedures. He stayed strong and at times, many times was ready to give up. He was lost, confused, completely broken, and afraid and so was I. We fought a lot and peaceful moments were rare. But I loved him and he loved me, that we knew.

The options were straightforward, go home to die or try chemo. We went with chemo as recommended, whether this was the right or the wrong decision we will never know. His existence started going at a slow pace, he was exhausted, he did less and less, moved slower and slower, spoke less and less, his voice lower and lower, sleeping more and more, and then he went to the ICU again. He’s been there before and came back out, so for me, this was not the end. I refuse to believe he would die. The exemption hasn’t come through, we’re so close, maybe within the next few days now, I was prepared to leave the moment I got it, I was afraid, I also had no more money by that time, but I knew I would figure it out. February 21st, I was at work all day, the moment I stepped into the car, I get a call from our doctor, he said "Mam Celine, your papa is not well, we need to sign some forms in case we reach that point" I rush home and get on a video call with our private nurse, that was with my dad. I had to make some tough decisions, I respected my dad's wishes. No more sufferings and whatever it is that god/the universe/whatever that is out there decides, it will be that. He has been silent for days now, his body no longer responded, he was completely drugged out and seemed at peace. Everything started going even slower, I spoke to him, told him stories, how much I loved him and how proud I was. His heart slowed right down until it stopped beating. It was like he left this world and entered another realm. His last words to me were ´je t’aime aussi’.

This is my story, and I haven't even shared all the details in between. It is so much more than one expects, this is why I need your help. My dad lived a wonderful life and fell in love many times, he was 76 and he was ready to go. Yes, the conditions of his passing may not have been ideal, but it is what it is.

Every week, one in three kiwi children is diagnosed with cancer. This is not fair, they haven't had a chance to live life, to fall in love, to see the world, to experience the wonders and the beauty of life. These children and their families need our support, this battle is one that can't be fought alone. Child Cancer Foundation supports families in so many ways, they provide, practical support, along with community support, along with tools they need to build resilience and help care for their child and the rest of the family.

This is about showing kindness, it is about uniting together and it is about serving.

Thank you so much for reading and for your help.

Celine Luthereau