Living large | Auckland News | Local News in Auckland

John has fought for his life since birth. Before going on a Koru Care trip he used to worry about dying. Since the trip all he can think about is living. Lauren Mentjox reports.

Lyn Brennan thought her newborn son would not make it home from the hospital. Her pregnancy had been difficult and, although doctors knew something was wrong with her baby, they couldn't figure out what it was.

Thirteen years later, John Brennan is still alive. A lanky, outgoing teen, he attends Avondale College and dreams of becoming a chef and moving to America one day.

"His life has been about staying alive and so far he has done very well," says Lyn.

John suffers from a rare condition that is slowly calcifying his kidneys and putting him into kidney failure. Regular visits to Starship Hospital and constant medication are part of his life. Doctors are not sure how his condition will progress.

Last year, John was among a group of sick children from around New Zealand who went on a Koru Care trip to Los Angeles. The group of 24 and 14 caregivers spent just over two weeks taking in the sights and visiting local attractions such as Disneyland and Universal Studios.

"It was really cool," says John, who was having so much fun he didn't get around to emailing home. Perhaps more importantly, the trip has changed his outlook on life.

"I used to worry that I was going to die, but I have found out that I can actually do more stuff than I thought without getting too sick," he says.

"The trip has given me a goal to get the best grades I can so I will be able to get a job in America."

Lyn says the trip pulled John out of a rut.  "Before he went everything revolved around medication and testing. He also began to understand the implications of his condition and was finding it more difficult to look ahead into the future."

Lyn says John now believes there is a life to be lived, while she and her husband have realised they must let him live it. "It was a big learning curve for all of us."

She says many people don't appreciate that the benefits of Koru Care go far beyond just taking kids on a fun trip.

"I was worried about John's slump, but the trip seems to have catapulted him back with new energy and confidence. If that is how all the kids feel, then it is just incredible.

"Koru Care can save lives as it can stop some children from giving up on themselves. We are just so grateful, it is hard to say 'thank you'."

Koru Care

Koru Care is a charity dedicated to making a difference to the lives of sick children by taking them out of their day-to-day routine and sending them on trips of a lifetime.

Because of the name and the high-profile flights to Disneyland, it's common for people to think Koru Care is an Air New Zealand charity.

In fact, it has nothing to do with our national airline apart from being set up by Air New Zealand employees more than 25 years ago.

Although Air New Zealand workers continue to support Koru Care, donating their time for fundraising events, most of the charity's support comes from the wider community.

This year's fundraising efforts start on March 13 with a five-hour cruise on the Waipa Delta around Auckland's Waitemata Harbour. Guests will be treated to five hours of entertainment, fine food and a charity auction.

Organiser Graeme Russell hopes to raise enough money to send two children to Disneyland this October.

"This is for the kids so they can get away and enjoy themselves."

Fundraiser

What: Friends of Koru Care Harbour Cruise 2010
Where: aboard Waipa Delta
When: March 13
Time: 6pm-11pm
Tickets: $125 a person
Contact: graeme-russell@woosh.co.nz or phone 021 216 5980
www.korucare.co.nz