Remembering Aletia Hudson
I first met Aletia Hudson 15 years ago. From a family background in film and television – her mother was the head of the New Zealand Film and Television School in Christchurch – she started on my books as a runner and trainee clapper loader. Well connected, she quickly made friends in Auckland, getting regular work on features, dramas, and commercials.
In August 2005 she called me up to say she might have to go off the books for a wee while… I never saw it coming. She visited me to explain an ultrasound for a sore arm had uncovered masses in her breast. An immediate mastectomy and partial lymph node removal followed.
Despite pretty good spirits – better than many given the same circumstances – our health system would not cover treatment with Herceptin. Known as a ‘wonder drug’ for early on-set breast cancer, an average cost is around $120,000 for a year’s treatment. We rallied around, and rapidly organised a ‘Big Day Out’ (Wainamu, Bethells Beach). A flying fox down the dunes, races, sandcastles, gun shooting, and BBQs – koha raised in excess of $46,000. Enough to pay for living expenses and almost six months of Herceptin for Aletia. An anticipated turnout of 200 turned into catering for over 400! Aletia was so very grateful to each and every person involved in the day out and those organising sales of her S.O.S (save our sisters) t-shirts (raising another $10k).
Accompanying her to the oncologist for one treatment, I was fortunate enough to hear him state that Herceptin treatment was the most positive plan in her situation. I firmly believe it extended her life. Aletia was cleared of cancer, with reconstructive surgery a year later. She decided then to get on with living, traveling overseas, but keeping in touch. I’ll never forget the day she sent a message: she’d had the five year ‘all-clear’ (the point where unofficially you are considered to be over the most likely point of cancer returning).
She went on to meet a lovely guy, moved to Wairau (South Island) – farmland and clean living. Next thing she’s announcing she is pregnant. Unfortunately, towards the pregnancy’s end, back pain led to discovery of further cancer for Aletia. She opted out of treatment to breastfeed Elias, to give her boy the ultimate start to life. That is so Aletia, always thinking of others ahead of herself. She was humble and positive – I’m sure behind closed doors there were many tears, but when Elias arrived Aletia had so much more to live for. Elias is a well-travelled young man with regular Auckland visits, Aletia always making an effort to keep in touch with crew and friends in the north.
Unfortunately, this year was a hard battle. Tumours spread and life became very difficult for her and her family. I know, though, that she was so proud to leave behind a beautiful baby boy with many people around him to remind him of his mother and her legacy as he grows.
This week Aletia lost her battle with cancer and we would like her family to know that the extended family at Filmcrews and all those who care for her are thinking of them at this time.
Sioux MacDonald
