Goal to walk 809km

MISSION: Anton Kuraia is training for an 809km walk. PHOTOS/JOHN STONE

Anton Kuraia reckons he's a cancer thriver.

He's done the surviving through the tough times, come out the other side and now he's thriving.

The 44-year-old was diagnosed in April 2013 with acute myeloid leukemia - a type of blood cancer usually fatal within a few months.

After 10 weeks in hospital and two gruelling cycles of chemotherapy, Anton was discharged in late July 2013, with the devastating news his cancer was too aggressive and he would die within four to eight weeks, after falling into a coma.

"I completely overhauled my diet, complemented by daily juicing and homeopathic supplements. Another critical and controversial part of my wellness regime was the use of high dose intravenous vitamin C, twice weekly."

Ten weeks later, a bone marrow biopsy showed a complete remission of the cancer.

The Whangarei police officer, husband and father of three sons, is about to embark on another challenging journey which will see him walk 809km from the doors of Whangarei police station to the steps of Parliament next February.

"For me, every step in the journey will be about hope, life and thriving against the odds. I'm doing it for every New Zealander who, like me, was sent home to die when all medical avenues for treatment had been exhausted. I'm doing it to show New Zealanders that there is always hope, even after a terminal cancer prognosis, and that there are options out there," Anton says.

"By walking down to Wellington, I will promote a social movement and charity for cancer survivors and thrivers who have come out of the hospital system and want to try something different, but can't afford it."

It will take 31 days and, during the journey, Anton hope to raise awareness and funds for The 809 Foundation he has created, which aims to help make natural alternative options affordable for people with cancer.

Anton still gets two vitamin C infusions a week to support his immune system for as long as possible until he gets through the first couple of years without the cancer relapsing. He can afford it thanks to a police insurance pay-out but he knows others are not so fortunate.

The 809 Foundation will initially raise funds to support people with cancer who don't have the financial means to access subsidised intravenous vitamin C, juicing machines and rehabilitation coaching, with a longer-term goal of affordable fruit and vegetables for all affected by cancer.

The Walk for Hope is the first major fundraising event to kick-start The 809 Foundation. On Tuesday, Anton's fitness will be tested when he does the police physical competency test, which includes a short sprint and climbing a wall. He wants to pass with a "gold" level which is expected of those on specialist squads, including the armed offenders. It will mean he gets to join the front line again.

His training regime will then take a big jump with more kilometres being walked. Currently, he walks up Mt Parihaka with a 5kg weight in a back pack and then walks home on the northern side of Kamo.

If you want to help Anton's Walk for Hope please contact him on Anton.kuraia@police.govt.nz