Tainui Kaihau was a student at Palmy Boys’ and a boarder at College House from 2012 – 2014. At the end of 2014, his Year 11 year, he moved to Australia to be with his family.
On the 19th of January 2016, Tainui was diagnosed with ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia). ALL is an overproduction of immature white blood cells. These cells crowd the bone marrow, preventing it from making normal blood cells. They can also spill out into the blood stream and circulate around the body. Due to their immaturity, these cells are unable to function properly to prevent or fight infection.
Leukaemia has left Tainui fighting for his life.
Tainui’s friends have organised a fundraising effort to help support his treatment, and all of the money raised will go towards the medical expenses of his ongoing treatment.
You can support Tainui in the following ways:
• Make a donation as you enter assembly tomorrow or Friday.
• Leave a donation at the Finance Office at PNBHS.
• Donate via the ‘gofundme’ page that has been set up by Tainui’s family.
• On Monday, February 29, a group of Tainui’s friends will be shaving their hair in support of Tainui, and this will be a further opportunity for donations to be collected.
• Check out the ‘Shave for T’ Facebook page, which includes bank account details for internet banking transfers of donations.
We wish Tainui and his family all the best for his fight.
