We encourage readers to donate to Mereana’s Give a Little page here.
Mereana Pearce knew who Nui Muriwai was years before he finally asked her on a date. They’d bumped into each other a lot in their hometown of Matamata. When the Hurricanes halfback finally asked her out, Mereana excitedly dressed up, expecting somewhere fancy. Instead, he took her for takeaway dumplings!
Facing the unthinkable together
“But we ended up sitting and talking for ages,” she recalls.
“It was simple but perfect. We’re total opposites, but we complement each other so well. Our personalities are clear even in our wardrobes – mine’s full of colour, while his is calm and neutral!”
Two years on from that first date, Mereana, 20, has now been diagnosed with small cell carcinoma of the ovary, hypercalcemic type, an extremely rare and aggressive cancer. Affecting just one in 10 million. She’s the only known case in Aotearoa and was told she may have only months left.
“Despite these odds, she’s shown nothing but strength,” says Nui, 23, who’s of Nga¯ti Ha¯ua, Nga¯puhi and Taranaki heritage.
“Watching her inspired me, changed me and made me reflect on what really matters. Going through something like this really strips everything back and reminds you that so many things we worry about aren’t important.”
Mereana, who has had chemo, high-dose radiation, immunotherapy and two major abdominal operations. Recently found hope when a specialist told her he’s seen women in even more difficult situations pull through.
Finding joy in the little things
“It gave me something real to hold on to,” says Mereana, who last month made it to Wellington for the Hurricanes’ end-of-season awards.
“She’d been in a lot of pain and her energy was at a real low,” shares Nui.
“But she’d received a round of radiation and immunotherapy, which led to her tumours shrinking, so she had enough energy to really enjoy the weekend. “It was amazing to see her come back to life, laughing and smiling. That night meant the world to both of us.”
At the moment, Mereana’s days are grounded in little rituals. Fitness, cleaning her room, Zoom calls with friends and time with Nui.
“When I was first told it was terminal, I wanted to get married straightaway,” she says.
“But I’ve since found another treatment that’s given me more time, so now celebration looks like just being home in cosy pyjamas, eating dumplings and rewatching Twilight with Nui.”
A Givealittle page’s been set up to support Mereana and the couple say they’ve been blown away by the response.
Nui tells, “It brings a real light into a very dark time for Mereana to feel that love and hope – she deserves it all.”
To donate, please search for“Mereana Pearce” on givealittle.co.nz.
