The Rodney Gordon Trust

The Auckland Grammar School Distance Squad started their 1,000 Miler charity relay today in aid of The Rodney Gordon Trust. This group of Auckland Grammar students will attempt to run 1,000 miles (1,600km) in less than 100 hours. It is conducted in three shifts with the junior boys running during the day, followed by the intermediates up until midnight and the seniors completing the 24 hour cycle by running the graveyard shift from midnight to 8am each day. This continues for four and a half days. Feel free to call in if you are passing Auckland Grammar and offer your support. I know the boys would appreciate it. The event began today at 8am and will finish late on Friday evening with a 12 hour pause on Anzac Day from midnight to midday on Thursday 25th. Lets hope it doesn't rain too much this week!

Hi All, Here is the link to the brochure for the Rodney Gordon Quiz and Auction night. If you would like to bid on anything and can't go to the evening just get in touch with me. burridgefamilynz@gmail.com http://www.givealittle.co.nz/objects/1135609_auction_dinner_programme.pdf

Thank you again to everybody for your support. The Stroke and Stride race series has always been a big part of my training programme, both when I was competing and when coaching the young triathletes from Auckland Grammar School. I would like to thank Craig Brown and his team for efforts made in the last race of the series, it was unbelievable. The first stage of treatment is half way through and I am feeling well, with minimal side effects. I am looking after myself, keeping fit, being very careful with my diet and getting plenty of sleep, the basics to good health. Along with radiation, the doctors here are looking at drugs that have been successfully trialed in the US. Many thanks, Rodney.

Rodney has sent this update from LA. Monday; met with Dr Chris Rose from Vantage Oncology Radiation and had a CT scan and rehearsal for the upcoming radiation therapy. Thursday; met with doctors Richard Lam and Jeffrey Turner from Prostate Oncology in Marina Del Rey. In the afternoon I had my first course of radiation therapy across town at Vantage Oncology. Friday; more radiation therapy at Vantage Oncology. From now on treatment will be Monday to Friday for the next 7 weeks. At this stage battling the 110 and 10 Freeways is more tiring than the treatment! The doctors and nurses are very friendly and attentive, and while it is difficult being away from home they are making me feel as comfortable as possible. Thank you everyone for your incredible support. Rodney

A huge day yesterday with the Herald article and the car wash which raised a fantastic $6,000. The following is a message to the car wash team from Rodney; To all the guys and girls that helped with the car wash yesterday a huge thank you to you all. Unbelievable after I either tortured you with economics or ran you ragged early in the morning. The Auckland Grammar heart and spirit is certainly strong. I felt a bit guilty not pitching in and helping you out yesterday but it would have been odd fundraising for yourself. For a lot of you I will not be teaching or coaching you next year as you move onto bigger and better things but I will always remember your generosity and spirit. Hey it has been a lot of fun! Mr Gordon.

Message from Rodney Six months ago I would not have believed that I would be diagnosed with an aggressive disease and that my friends would initiate and organise fundraising for my treatment. There have been many questions from people since news of my disease went public. I have an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has spread to lymph nodes in my pelvis and chest. The cancer is being controlled successfully at present with hormone therapy. On the advice of a colleague at Auckland Grammar I consulted with a specialist prostate oncology practise in the Los Angeles. These doctors are enthusiastic, positive and motivated to treat me, for which I am very thankful. With them I have been given the opportunity to treat the cancer aggressively now and potentially achieve long-term control of the disease. Unfortunately this was not an option in New Zealand. It took me a week before I could gather the emotional courage to read the messages of support on the “Give a Little” site. Having done so I am overwhelmed and so very grateful for the fantastic words of encouragement. I leave for the United States on January 6th for an initial 8 weeks of radiation treatment and if this is successful will return later in the year. I plan to be back teaching at Grammar between visits.