The recent death of Jonah Lomu has highlighted the need to become a donor , which is what the Dream Chaser Foundation was set up to promote following the death of Whakatane toddler Chace Topperwien in 2012. Photo / File
I was really shocked and saddened to hear the news of the passing of the big man himself, Jonah Tali Lomu. Although most of us didn't know him personally, we watched him grow up in the spotlight.
First as a very young school leaver who was thrust into the international
sporting scene, the youngest ever All Black. Then, over time, we were informed of his illness and followed the journey of him receiving a kidney replacement.
He tried to return to rugby, and continue his work as a rugby ambassador, over the years, and was working with children's charities, all the while struggling with his illness.
I think it's fair to say, as we've seen the country acknowledge him over the past week or so, that he's impacted the sporting world like no one did before him. We can be proud that he came from here, a son of the Pacific, and made his mark on the world. He will be missed by his whanau, his friends, his boys and his fans and rugby community around the world. Moe mai e te rangatira.
One of the things that comes to mind when I think about Jonah is the ability we have to provide blood, organs and bone marrow, while we are still fit and healthy. Jonah had Grant Kereama to thank for providing him with a kidney, which gave Jonah extra years of quality life before his health deteriorated.
