For Steven Andrews, Christian Pesamino was more than a nephew. He was his namesake, a son in many ways, and a young man whose boundless energy and love for life continue to inspire the work of Paddle for Cancer.
Growing up, Christian and his brother were affectionately nicknamed Hurricane and Cyclone because of the mischief and energy they brought into the family home.
Andrews remembers his nephew as an outgoing young man who embraced sport, built friendships across communities and was always eager to try something new.
After completing Form Seven at Marist Brothers High School, Christian continued playing rugby league, joined Nadi Bay Canoe Club and pursued his ambition of becoming a pilot.
However, concerning symptoms gradually interrupted his plans. Christian experienced blackouts while attending pilot school, followed by a sore throat, difficulty swallowing and swollen gums.
He eventually stepped away from flying and obtained his real estate licence, although his health was beginning to deteriorate around the same time.
After initial medical consultations failed to identify the underlying problem, a dentist recommended a blood test when Christian’s swollen gums could not be explained by a dental condition.
The results revealed an aggressive strain of leukaemia, leaving the family scrambling to find urgent treatment.
With time running out, arrangements for treatment in Australia and New Zealand proved difficult. Andrews’ sister-in-law, his older brother’s wife, who is Filipina, helped the family find a hospital in the Philippines that could treat Christian.
He was transferred via Papua New Guinea and received emergency treatment before eventually returning home to await a suitable bone marrow donor. Unfortunately, a matching donor could not be found, and Christian passed away.
For Andrews, the loss was compounded by the knowledge that many families facing similar circumstances lack the financial means to pursue treatment or access adequate support.
Although his family was fortunate enough to mobilise resources for Christian, he recognised that others could be left feeling helpless and alone.
That understanding helped drive Paddle for Cancer, which began in 2024 following a conversation between Andrews and Christian at Castaway Island Resort.
The initiative uses outrigger canoe paddling to raise funds and awareness while honouring those affected by cancer. Its participating teams have helped support the Fiji Cancer Society and the Christian Pesamino Leukemia Foundation.
Beyond fundraising, Andrews hopes Christian’s story encourages early detection and reminds families that help is available.
He recalls reassuring his sister during their family’s darkest moments, emphasising that she should not blame herself for her son’s illness.
“There are avenues, organisations, family and friends out there who want to assist you and remind you that you don’t have to go through this alone,” he said.
For Andrews, every paddle carries a deeper purpose: keeping Christian’s memory alive while reminding families facing cancer that they are not alone.
