Generous readers to rescue

Teacher Rodney Gordon of Auckland Grammar School. Photo / Chris Loufte

Rodney Gordon is lucky 'tis the season of giving.

Generous Herald on Sunday readers have contributed towards $25,000 raised in the past week to help Gordon in his fight against cancer.

The Auckland Grammar School economics teacher and top triathlete was diagnosed with prostate cancer in June.

Last week Gordon told the Herald on Sunday he had a couple of years to live after the cancer spread rapidly to his pelvis and chest in just five months.

But he hoped a trip to the United States with the school's cross-country team last month might have saved his life.

Gordon sought a second opinion from leading oncologists in LA who said it might be possible to kill the cancer through strong radiation. The treatment, however, costs $38,000.

More than $44,000 has been raised on donation website Give A Little, and Auckland Grammar students raised $6000 at a car wash last week.

Gordon said he hoped most of the money could go towards educating people about cancer treatment options. "I just want to say a huge thank you to the Auckland Grammar community," he said.

Gordon flies to Los Angeles next Sunday to begin treatment.

chloe.johnson@hos.co.nz