Pete's Story

Peter Harwood took to the track at this year’s Relay for Life in Whangarei for the survivors’ lap. ‘Survivor’ is a very appropriate word for this inspirational 58 year old who has come close to losing his life on two separate occasions. Peter was diagnosed with small lymphocytic lymphoma, a type of blood cancer, in 2010, followed by a rare blood condition in 2011, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.

‘My word, going over it all now is the first time I’ve realised how much I’ve been through’, Peter says. He had been telling people he thought he’d had around 20 or 30 transfusions. The real number? ‘I’ve just discovered it’s more like 230.’

Peter takes each day as it comes and enjoys his time with family and friends. They say that he has an incredible strength and determination to live. ‘I told myself ‘you’re going to pull through’. Motivation was never a problem for me, I’d always get out of bed if I was able to, I didn’t feel sorry for myself.’ He shares his story at a support group to give some of his strength to others. ‘It makes you realise how precious life is when you meet someone who has come so close to losing it.’

In 2011 Peter started a bucket list of things he wanted to do when he got better. So in 2012, when his health was more stable, he did a tandem skydive from 16,500ft and parasailed at 1,200ft in Paihia. Next on his list is a skydive over Lake Taupo.

Peter is grateful to the blood donors who have saved his life more than once. ‘One day I went into a New Zealand Blood Service mobile blood drive and said ‘I’d just like to thank you all for giving blood’.’