Former Rotorua man Peter Pomare was diagnosed with a brain tumour in April, just seven days after his second child was born.
He has been in an Australian hospital since and doctors told his family there was nothing they could do for him - a scary situation for the 21-year-old and
his young family to be in.
However, his family wanted to send him to Australian neurosurgeon Charles Teo - dubbed a miracle worker - to remove the tumour but they needed around $86,000 to pay for the surgery.
Friends and family of Mr Pomare - including his Rotorua sisters - did everything they could to find the money to pay for it. An anonymous Rotorua woman even helped by making a $10,000 donation.
Mr Pomare, who is a former Western Heights High School and Reporoa College student, underwent surgery on Monday and Dr Teo has told the family 95 per cent of the tumour was removed.
He is now recovering in Sydney and is planning to move back to Rotorua after receiving radiation or chemotherapy to treat the other 5 per cent.
What an amazing story of love, determination, kindness, perseverance and triumph.
However, he's not out of the woods yet and the costs don't end there.
Mr Pomare is still to have a scan to confirm the success of the surgery and friends and family are continuing to fundraise to help cover ongoing costs. The family still need financial help and with the support they have received so far, let's hope it continues.
