As a close friend to the Pokai family I have been deeply impacted by the upsetting news that 15 year old Jake - Danny and Sarah’s eldest son - has been diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL), which is a cancer of the blood.

Jake and his dad Danny were on a much awaited trip to New Zealand when Jake was diagnosed. It was during the quarantine period that Jake became very unwell and was admitted to Auckland Hospital. Initial tests showed low levels of platelets, red and white blood cells in Jake’s blood. After a monitoring period, Jake then had a bone marrow biopsy on the 17th December which confirmed a diagnosis of ALL.

Chemotherapy treatment was then commenced on 20th December at Auckland’s Starship Hospital and a two and a half year treatment plan laid out for the family.

This was meant to be a trip of a lifetime for Jake. He had spent 4 years saving his pocket and paper round money to pay for his flight ticket. Those that know Jake, will know that he, like his father, is rugby mad and that this trip was an opportunity to immerse himself in the NZ rugby scene.

Jake’s determination and commitment to rugby has never been more evident – only days before his diagnosis and a week or so before beginning his first course of chemotherapy, Jake participated in the International rugby academy advanced players course and played well at 10.

The nature of Jake’s illness and with the ongoing global pandemic has meant that Jake has to stay in NZ while he undergoes his initial treatment, likely to be 8 months. Jakes’ mum Sarah, and younger siblings Annabel and Darcy, are still at home in the UK but hoping to visit Jake and Danny as soon as the emergency visas have been granted.

This is clearly a difficult time for the family, and the added financial strain of having your family split half a world away cannot be underestimated.

If like me, you know and love this family, and want to show support in some way then please feel free to give.

Any funds raised will go directly to Sarah Pokai to be used to support costs for the family, and in any way that may be helpful during this challenging time.