Mitch Pereira is "one in a million'' - but not for the reasons the talented young rugby player wants to be.
The 17-year-old King's High School pupil was diagnosed with aggressive stage three bowel cancer in September last year, which has spread to his lymph nodes.
Doctors have told him he is one in a million because it was relatively unheard of for someone his age to have bowel cancer.
He had two major bowel surgeries late last year and is now undergoing three days a fortnight of intensive chemotherapy, which will continue until the end of March.
Until then, Mitch will remain in Invercargill with his mother Ana and his four siblings - Anthony (15), Mya (12), and twins Nthswana and Neo (4).
Until late last year, Mitch had been living with his aunt in Dunedin so he could attend King's High School, where he has gone to further his passion for rugby.
While many around the country are dreading their return to school, Mitch is raring to get back.
But he is unlikely to return for his final year at King's High School until April.
He said being diagnosed with cancer was having a profound impact on his outlook on life.
"It has helped me realise how much the little things count and to make the most of every day, especially when I'm feeling OK.''
His inspiration to keep battling on came from the "overwhelming'' amount of support he was receiving from family, friends and the "many other people who keep me positive''.
"I also like to look back at the time when I was healthy, which gives me something to look forward to after treatment and when I am well and healthy again.
"What keeps me going is the thought of having my regular life back, with my friends, going back to King's High who have been very supportive and caring for me and my family.''
He also wanted "to be back on the rugby field again and doing what I love''.
Ms Pereira said the chemotherapy was very hard on Mitch.
"He gets more unwell after each cycle, and now only has a few days where he feels well enough to at least get out of the house.
"He's been an extremely active young man, and now he spends most of his time inside - a dramatic change in his life.
"It is difficult to express the never-ending heartache to watch your son in constant pain.
"I admire him. He suffers in silence and still smiles and laughs through his suffering. He is positive and optimistic.''
She said Mitch was "extremely talented'' and anything he attempted, he excelled at.
"He is an elite sportsman with a promising future in rugby. He is also a high achiever in his school work.
"I just want him to be well again and to continue the bright future he deserves.''
Ms Pereira said it was still too early for doctors to say whether Mitch would make a full recovery or not.
If he did win this battle, it was likely he would get cancer again at some stage, she said.
Ms Pereira was grateful for the support of friends and family on Mitch's givealittle web page, and in particular, an anonymous friend who was paying her mortgage so she could give up work to help look after Mitch during his treatment.
"We couldn't survive financially without this extremely generous support. You rarely hear of stories ... of such generosity.
"Words can't express how much I appreciate this.''
