Hopes pinned on treatment

Kurtis Jones, with partner Melissa Ewins, wants to help raise awareness about testicular cancer after being diagnosed in 2013. Photo / Supplied

A former Rotorua man battling testicular cancer is encouraging young men to ditch the macho attitude and see a doctor if they notice symptoms of the disease.

Kurtis Jones was fit and healthy when he was diagnosed with stage three testicular cancer in late 2013.

The former Rotorua Boys' High School student, who now lives in Auckland, underwent months of chemotherapy and multiple surgeries only to have the cancer return soon after.

He had another round of high-dose chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant followed by more surgery, before being told last month that the treatment had not worked.

After exploring nearly all the options available to him, Mr Jones' life expectancy was estimated to be only months.

But now in his third week of an alternative treatment, intravenous Vitamin C, he says things are looking up.

The treatment is given through an intravenous line, allowing the body to consume a high level of the vitamin, which is believed to help people improve their quality of life and deal with some health conditions including cancer.

However, the treatment is expensive, with sessions costing up to $250 per dose, so Mr Jones and his partner Melissa Ewins have started an online page, on website Givealittle, to help fund his treatment.

So far more than $14,000 has been donated to the cause.

"My journey has definitely been an eye opener to a lot of things, it's taught me to keep positive and surround myself with positive people. It's nice to see those people and even strangers be so generous and help me continue this treatment."

Mr Jones, a personal trainer, said since starting the new treatment his energy levels had increased.

-To donate go to www.givealittle.co.nz/cause/kurtisjones.