Port Lincoln teen Phillip Haereroa-Rogers battles cancer – for the third time

A Port Lincoln teenager, who has already battled cancer twice, has been dealt another devastating blow.

Phillip Haereroa-Rogers is in hospital in Adelaide, supported by his family as he begins treatment after his third cancer diagnosis. Picture: GoFundMe

The father of a Port Lincoln teenager who is set to undergo his third cancer battle in just five years has vowed to never give up on his brave boy.

Phillip Haereroa-Rogers, 19, had already faced cancer twice when he was rushed to hospital struggling to breathe last month.

Doctors discovered two tumours in his lungs and devastatingly, this time the disease is considered terminal.

Through all the heartbreak, Phillip’s father has one message: “I’m not giving up on my boy.”

Speaking from the Royal Adelaide Hospital, where Phillip is recovering from emergency lung surgery, his dad Phillip Rogers, 58, said the support from the community had been overwhelming.

“He’s a very strong boy … he’s a quiet fellow who keeps to himself … he’s a good boy,” Mr Rogers said.

Phillip Haereroa-Rogers is “very strong” in the face of his third cancer battle, his proud dad says. Picture: GoFundMe

“He’s been through all of this before and now he’s starting chemo again in about four weeks’ time.”

Phillip’s girlfriend Taylah Cresswell has stayed by his bedside, while his mum Rebecca Haereroa-Rogers, 45, has barely left the hospital.

His siblings Manasseh and Anaru (who is known as Bubbles) are back in Port Lincoln with extended family.

The family first encountered cancer in 2020 when Phillip was just 14.

What they thought was a sore ankle turned out to be osteosarcoma — a rare and aggressive bone cancer.

“I was doing FIFO work and he and his mum went to the doctors to check his ankle and that’s where it started,” Mr Rogers said.

“He then went through about nine months of chemotherapy at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital before he had to lose his leg just under the knee.”

Phillip Haereroa-Rogers was first diagnosed with cancer in 2020 at the height of the pandemic. Picture: GoFundMe

After another surgery in 2022 to remove a tumour in his lung, Phillip appeared to be recovering — until last month.

On April 22, he was rushed to Port Lincoln Hospital and found to have nearly two litres of blood in his lung.

Scans revealed two more tumours – one in each lung – and he was flown to Adelaide for urgent surgery.

“He’s currently at the RAH recuperating and should be discharged tomorrow,” Mr Rogers said.

“We’ll stay in a hotel for a few days to get strong and then hopefully we can fly home on Wednesday.”

A GoFundMe page set up by family friend Nardi Collett has now raised over $8000 of its $10,000 target from more than 125 donations to help cover medical and travel costs.

A GoFundMe has been launched to help the Port Lincoln-based family cope with travel costs. Picture: GoFundMe

“Phillip underwent further scans and tests and has now received the devastating and heartbreaking news that his osteosarcoma is now considered terminal,” Ms Collett said in an update posted yesterday.

“The focus is on helping him heal from surgery so he is as strong as he can be before the next phase of treatment can begin.”

Mr Rogers said the family had been blown away by the kindness of their community and the care from hospital staff.

“We want to thank everyone — the ICU, the osteo department, his doctor Rebecca, and social workers Alana and Frankie,” he said.

“The support we’ve received from the Cancer Council, Make-a-Wish and the Sony Foundation has been amazing.”

“I can’t explain the amount of stress that has been taken off of us.”

Through it all, he said, Phillip had stayed brave.

“It was such a shock … for all that time we thought he was doing so well,” Mr Rogers said.

“Six months ago, he went for a check-up and everything was fine.”

The family now faces a treatment plan split between Adelaide and home – with one week at the Royal Adelaide Hospital followed by two weeks back in Port Lincoln, on rotation.

“We just want to help him focus on healing,” Mr Rogers said.

“I’m not giving up on my son.”

Originally published as Port Lincoln teen Phillip Haereroa-Rogers battles cancer – for the third time