Cancer survivor completes 809km trek to Wellington

Whangarei policeman and cancer survivor Constable Anton Kuraia arrives at the steps of Parliament with fellow walkers on the last leg of his epic 809km trek. PHOTO/KRISTIN EDGE

Whangarei policeman and cancer survivor Anton Kuraia has completed his 809km walk from Whangarei to Wellington today.

The father of three walked through the gates to the Parliament grounds about 1.30pm to cheers from family, friends, police mates and cancer survivors.

Mr Kuraia was joined by about 40 walkers for the last leg today from the New Zealand Police College in Porirua to Wellington.

He started his Walk for Hope to raise awareness and funds for alternative cancer treatments on February 1 and over the next 31 days managed to walk at least 809km.

Arriving at Parliament today he thanked everyone who had walked with him on his journey, his family, wife, children and police family.

In an emotional speech he said his Walk for Hope had become the Journey of Amazing People. He discarded a speech notes he had written and spoke from the heart about the extraordinary people he had met.

Mr Kuraia wanted the walk to raise awareness for alternative cancer treatments like Vitamin C - he credits with helping him back to health - after doctors told him he had weeks to live.

He was diagnosed in April 2013 with acute myeloid leukemia. After 10 weeks in hospital and two cycles of chemotherapy, he was discharged and told his cancer was too aggressive to treat.

He gave his diet an over haul and turned to juicing and combined that with high doses of vitamin C.

A biopsy 10 weeks later showed the cancer was in remission.

Northland police Superintendent Russell le Prou walked the last leg of the journey and said he had no doubt Constable Kuraia would finish.

"I had every confidence in him ... he is the most determined character. It hasn't been an easy 31 days with blisters and then the tragedy of his father passing away. It's a gutsy effort."

If you would like to donate to The 809 Foundation go to https://givealittle.co.nz/search?q=the+809+foundation

- More in tomorrow's Northern Advocate