Team Rossie for Alcatraz
Swimming from Alcatraz to San Fransisco, raising money for Mercy Hospice in memory of Ross Duncan, our Dad and friend.
Auckland
There is now a defining day in our lives which is life before and life after. On August 17, 2016 Ross was on his way home from work when he suffered a massive seizure. He was rushed to hospital where a scan revealed he had a brain tumour, metastatic melanoma. So aggressive that after one month, there were then five tumours.
At only 60, Ross so badly wanted to live. He had so much left to see, do and love that he underwent gruelling radiation and immunotherapy which sadly failed. In March 2017, he was given just 8 weeks left to live.
In those eight weeks our worlds stopped and we spent every waking moment with Ross. We talked, laughed, sung and cried. We talked about the future and made plans, even though we knew they were only dreams. And one of those dreams was to swim from Alcatraz, something still left on the Bucket List for Ross.
On the eighth week, one afternoon Ross suffered a massive seizure at home, which was then followed by over 100 seizures that night. The horror was unimaginable and we had no choice but to go to Hospice. This left our family devastated as we wanted to spend our final moments at home. Even the word ‘Hospice’ was something we tried to protect him from. We felt as if we failed.
From the moment we arrived until we left, we were all cared for in such a way there are no words that can truely explain the experience. It was our home away from home, and was the best place for us to be, we hadn’t failed at all.
Hospice relies heavily on donations, and it is not until you experience the need that you realise it’s importance. Which is why we are dedicating this swim to Rossie, and making it count by raising money for this incredible organisation.
Mercy Hospice thank you.
Emma Duncan's involvement (page creator)
My Dad, Ross Duncan spent his final days at Mercy Hopsice. It was our home away from home during this time and the love, care and support was amazing.
Latest update
Over and Out 28 October 2018
You Did It!
We dit it! We as a group raised $30,150 for Mercy Hospice. From the bottom of my heart.. thank you! It really does bring tears to my eyes that a discussion between two friends in 2015 turned into this.
I remember the first time I heard Dad tell me about his promise to swim Alcatraz with Dave (Wood). I honestly remember thinking “who would want to put themselves through that. The cold, the distance. No thanks.” It really makes me cry to write this, and for the first time, realise our achievement. We did really achieve something amazing. I was really so caught up in the swim, the training, the fundraising, work, family and more training that I was quite blind to the purpose. And life really does get in the way of that. For all of us.
The day after the swim we had booked a tour to Sonoma Valley Vineyards. Downtime, recovery and wine. I sat next to mum on the bus and she was in tears over the swim. We both forgot that when Dad passed away, people also lost a friend. We were so consumed by losing our Dad and for Mum a soul mate. I really never thought much more than, “great there are a group of us doing the swim for Dad”.
But the truth is, there were 11 swimmers, committed to the Alcatraz swim in Dad’s honour. Plus an entire community of supporters. I need to highlight the love right now, one of the swimmers couldn’t even swim before this journey. They committed to it for Ross, read a book on swimming and then trained every day. Wow. Really. That is love. Thank you. There was also a 70 year old, a scared 16, 18 and 21 year old. Children, mothers, fathers, sisters, friends and everything in between. Mum and I realised this that day. That everyone lost Ross Duncan, not just us.
Today is the last day of the Team Rossie Givealittle Page. So this is my last update. I’ve said it before but thank you so much for being a part of our journey. Together we have achieved something beautiful. And forever we are grateful.
Signing off. Team Rossie 😘
Latest donations
Thank you carol and tony for your very generous donation, kind words and support over this time. We really appreciate this. Much love and so grateful.
Thank you so much for this very generous donation. Your support really means so much to us. Thank you!
Thanks Joss! We really approceiate your support, kind words and generous donation. It really means alot to us.
Thank you so much! It was amazing! Thank you for your support, kind words,and generous donation. It means so much to us!
Thank you so much for your very generous donation. Your support means so much to us all! We really appreciaite it.
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