Trucker Dukes Receives Warm Welcome Home

Trucker Dukes and his family. Photo: June Harper.

By Debra Lordan

A gathering of friends, family and well-wishers welcomed Trucker Dukes back home to Maui on Thursday, Aug. 6.

The 2-year-old has spent the last nine months at Kapi’olani Medical Center for Women and Children on O‘ahu, and in New York City for cancer treatments.

Just before Thanksgiving 2014, then 20-month-old Trucker was diagnosed with stage-four neuroblastoma, a rare type of cancer that develops in infants and young children.

Family and friends met the Dukes ‘ohana at the airport Thursday evening. The family was also surprised with a ride from the airport —complete with toy trucks and balloons—in a luxurious Mercedes Benz passenger van, provided by The Limo Company. The Maui Cookie Lady and Wow Wow Hawaiian Lemonade also donated their products for the Dukes to enjoy on the ride home.

Truckers father, Joshua Dukes, is a A Kīhei firefighter. 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.

“Maui Fire Department trucks lined Hāna Highway near Baldwin Beach Park, with many other Team Trucker Supporters, including car clubs, turned out to show Trucker their trucks and wave as they drove past the crowds,” said June Harper, a friend of the Dukes family.

The Dukes ‘ohana stopped several times to exit the van and greet and hug those who came out to show their support.

In two weeks, Trucker is scheduled to return to New York City for more treatment for the cancer he has fought since December 2014.

Donations to the Baby Trucker Dukes Cancer Fund can be made online. The Give Forward Campaign has collected 81% of the amount needed to help the Dukes family.

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

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

The Dukes ‘ohana stopped several times to exit the van and greet and hug those who came out to show their support. Photo: June Harper.

Photo: June Harper.

Photo: June Harper.

Photo: June Harper.

Photo: June Harper.

Photo: June Harper.

Photo: June Harper.

Photo: June Harper.

Photo: June Harper.

Photo: June Harper.

Photo: June Harper.

Photo: June Harper.

Photo: June Harper.

Photo: June Harper.

Photo: June Harper.

Photo: June Harper.

Photo: June Harper.

Photo: June Harper.

Photo: June Harper.

Photo: June Harper.

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