A Christmas Wish For Trucker Dukes

[flashvideo file=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCFAEcK7tVc /]  By Malika Dudley / Email: [email protected]

A Kīhei firefighter’s infant son is waging the battle of his life. Just before Thanksgiving, 20-month-old Trucker Dukes was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma, a form of cancer. Neuroblastoma most commonly affects children age 5 or younger. Each year, approximately 500 to 1000 children in the US are diagnosed with the disease. Trucker is currently undergoing the first of six scheduled rounds of chemotherapy at Kapi’olani Medical Center for Women and Children.

20-month-old Trucker Dukes / Image: Joshua Dukes

Thirty-five year old Joshua Dukes who has been with the Maui Fire Department for four years, says the level of community support leaves him speechless. Joshua and his wife Shauna live in Ha’ikū with their three children – daughter Indiana, 9, and their two sons Mac, 7, and Jedidiah, 5.  At last check, their Give Forward Campaign was at 81% of the final goal with more than $100,000 raised to help the Dukes family. Ever so humble, when asked what people can do to help, Joshua says  “Hug your keiki, you’re not guaranteed tomorrow, only today.”

We interviewed Joshua the evening of Monday, Dec. 15. He tells Trucker’s story, shares about how they are coping and sends a message of aloha and mahalo to all those who have joined the campaign to support #TeamTrucker.

How You Can Help

On Wednesday, Dec. 17, Café Des Amis will be donating 20% of the days proceeds to the Trucker Dukes Cancer Fund. The restaurant is open from 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. At 3 p.m., local musicians will take the stage. Live music featuring Lily Meola, Danielle Delaunay and more will be performing through closing time. A silent auction will be held from 2 to 8:30 p.m. Contact Tina Prior at (808) 283-8083 for more information and to donate.

The Pāʻia Merchants Association is backing the return of Pāʻia Gives, an annual event that raises thousands of dollars for charities and non-profit organizations adopted by each participating store. At least three Pāʻia businesses–Milagros, Prospect Pāʻia, and Sophia Grace–will be donating a portion of their proceeds to the Dukes Family and Team Trucker. For more information on this weekend’s Pāʻia Gives event, click HERE.

Future events:

Mulligan’s on the Blue is working on a New Year’s Eve party and there will also be a Flatbread Pizza fundraiser night. The ‘Ulalena and Burn’n Love shows are offering kamaʻāina rates at $20 with a portion of the proceeds going to the Dukes. In addition, there are two food truck fundraisers and a fishing tournament in the early planning stages.

To learn more about Trucker follow the Team Trucker Facebook Page.

To donate online visit Trucker’s Give Forward Campaign.

Donations can be made at Bank of Hawaiʻi branches under Trucker Dukes Cancer Fund.