Rodney Gordon of Auckland Grammar School will fly to the US to have his prostate cancer treated. Photo / Chris Loufte
Rodney Gordon has taught teenage boys for more than 20 years. Now some of them are combining their efforts to try to help save his life.
The Auckland Grammar School economics teacher and top triathlete was diagnosed with cancer this year.
He was devastated when doctors found an aggressive tumour the size of a walnut on his prostate in July.
"It was my first prostate check-up," said Gordon, 45.
"I was shocked because I have not felt bad at all, and I'm obviously fit and healthy."
Doctors told Gordon he had a couple of years to live after the cancer spread rapidly to his pelvis and chest in just five months.
He was placed on palliative care and given hormone therapy to manage the illness.
But a trip to the United States with the school's cross-country team last month could have saved his life.
Gordon said he sought a second opinion from leading oncologists in Los Angeles who gave him hope of killing the cancer through strong radiation.
"New Zealand doctors didn't want to go down that path."
The treatment, however, will cost $38,000.
The father of two young boys, aged 13 and 8, said he would mortgage his house - but students, their parents and his employer have come to the rescue.
Auckland Grammar parent Debbie Burridge - whose son was coached by Gordon - created a donation page on website Give A Little, which has already raised $20,000.
Among the donors were current students, old boys and elite triathletes including Clarke Ellice. Marathon runner Craig Wigglesworth wrote: "Looking forward to you running past me for years to come".
Distance-squad students will wash cars, bikes, and surf boards today for their coach.
The car-wash fundraiser will start from 9.30am at Auckland Grammar School, Epsom.
It's understood a NZDF aircraft and multiple helicopters are involved.