Charlie-James Pihama’s fundraiser for cancer battle ends as it hits $20,000 goal

Charlie-James Pihama, 5, has been receiving treatment for cancer in Auckland. Photo / Supplied

A fundraiser for a 5-year-old Tairāwhiti boy battling cancer went from $3000 to hitting its goal of $20,000 in less than two days as community support rallied around him.

The family of Charlie-James Pihama, who has acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), wishes to thank those who helped them reach their goal through a Givealittle page that opened about six weeks ago.

Charlie-James has had cancer since he was 1. But he recently relapsed and the cancer is now in one of his eyes and his nervous system.

He and his family were preparing for a bone marrow transplant, as reported by the Gisborne Herald last week.

The Givealittle page had raised $3000 in five weeks as of Wednesday last week.

Fundraising on the page closed on Friday after the goal was reached in an outpouring of community support.

His nan, Lena Bennett, said Charlie-James was at Planet Sunshine at Gisborne Hospital on Monday for blood tests and had been given the okay to fly to Starship in Auckland.

“He was in a lot of pain last night [Sunday], so we are lucky to have capable nurses and good doctors in the children’s ward. We are hoping to get him back to Auckland ASAP to continue his treatment up there.”

Charlie-James Pihama pictured with his birthday cake after he recently turned 5. Photo / Supplied

She said they were happy with the response from the Tairāwhiti community that allowed the Givealittle page to reach their goal much faster.

She said the page “went viral” after the Gisborne Herald story.

Lena said Charlie-James’ parents, Rose Bennett and Wiremu Pihama of Kaiti, could begin passport applications for themselves, Charlie-James and his two sisters, Patience and Kalani-Rayne, in case treatment was needed in Australia.

Charlie-James has spent a large part of his life in Auckland for chemotherapy and radiation treatment, but was in Gisborne during the holidays when the Gisborne Herald visited him last week.

The illness that he has, ALL, is a blood and bone marrow cancer.

It occurs when the bone marrow makes too many immature white blood cells, called lymphoblasts or leukaemic blasts. It can appear suddenly and progress rapidly.

Charlie-James Pihama, 5, has spent a large part of his life in Auckland for chemotherapy and radiation treatment.

“Thank you so, so much. Lots of Love from Charlie-James, Nan, Mum, Dad, Patience and Kalani-Reign,” the last update on the Givealittle page, posted Friday, said.