Just some of the boards on offer at the auction – two sleds from John John Florence (left x2), a sleek DHD from Jordy, plus brand new boards from Channel Islands – as well as a host of others.
The Nicholsons were dealt a heavy blow recently when Jess was diagnosed with a brain tumour. She’s undergone successful surgery, but now they are facing another major battle: the money needed to pay for the op.
Friends and family have rallied around Simon*, his wife Jess and children Joel and Anna, offering support, and in doing so they’ve also made a pretty good deal for those of us who are perhaps not as close to the Nicholson’s, but still wish to lend a supporting hand.
They’ve set up a massive auction taking place in Durban tomorrow night at Spiga d’Oro in Florida Rd, in which you can bid on, amongst other things, signed surfboards by some of the world’s best surfers – like Jordy, John John Florence, Mick Fanning, Joel Parkinson and Travis Logie.
Apart from the surfboards, there’s also other items like this piece by Wesley van Heerden, donated by RVCA.
There’s also brand new boards from the likes of Channel Islands and Safari Surfboards and massive retail vouchers from just about all of the surf brands.
All proceeds go to the ‘Let’s Beat It!” fund which has been set up to help pay for Jess’s ongoing treatment. So, while you get to own Jordy’s board, you’re still doing your vital bit to help out a burdened family.
Details of the auction are listed on the flyer below, it’s on tomorrow night (Thursday 28 February).
For those unable to attend the auction, yet would still like to make a donation, then you can do so here>>
* For those among us not familiar with Simon Nicholson, you may not know that he was one of South Africa’s finest pro surfers, missing out on qualifying for the 2001 ASP Dream Tour by one of the smallest margins imaginable. He did, however, win the US Tour back when it was sponsored by Budweiser beer, and remains the only international surfer to have done that.
He still owns the New Pier when it is cranking during cyclone season. That is if he’s not chasing those swells to one of his favourite right points north of home.
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Its very sad to hear.
What is also sad to hear are my findings as im indirectly involved in this industry,and like,as one would say,…an indirectly involved surfer in a surf industry,would also be well aware of the pitfalls and shanigans going on around them.
What is worse to hear is the state of Oncolgy in Durban.
Its common knowledge that people often have to go to their GP first,before they go see a specialist.
Whats not common knowledge is the referal base and underhand tactics going on in Oncolgy on our very own doorstep.
The very essence of this auction to raise funds can explain the type of money involved that specialists are hoping to get a piece of.
Medical Aids have a hand in it too,like refering to a co-op called Icon,which uses old standard chemo medicines and secondhand radiotherapy machines,obsolete in Europe and imported and sold to unsuspecting Oncologists,to whom they have been presented with a full dialogue of financial projections and benefits(to them obviously).
Eventually they find out the true facts and experience non materialising figures,but find that they are in too deep financially to cry foul.
That is the tip of the iceberg really.
And a risk Jess has to endure now as her surgery,just the start of her treatment really,is over.
We all like to have faith in our GP’s and who they refer us to,but my suggestion is to use a bit of that money to do your research and due diligence and most definetly get 2nd and 3rd opinions as textbook treatment rarely works in Oncolgy…
You are not obligated to go to a specialist recommened to you by a GP or medical Aid even if they state this.
Dont be fooled by news reports of numerous state of the art facilities been opened in plush suburbs,
I wish reporters did their own due diligence and research before just accepting what ever comes out of a specialists mouth,as any one of us would,
I mean… what do we know about Oncology,right?Yes.
And dont get me started on the Public sector,Addington has two of the BEST True Beam Radiotherapy MRI machines in the world(which the private sector cant afford) just lying dormant,due to not backpaying the suppliers their fees,who have since switched the machines off indefinetly.
But thats another story for another day…watch the news soon..LOL
I hope this useful info helps anyone else going through or might go through in the future, this tragic phase in their lives…because,in most peoples minds,cancer only really effects smokers,drinkers,elderly etc etc…yeah right…come again?
No excuses,anyone who reads this may shrug it off at their peril…