In August 2023, Cam Suafoa’s life took an unexpected turn. Cam, a star player for the North Harbour rugby team, came home from a game when his partner, Brittany, a physiotherapist, noticed something unusual. “There was a lump on his back,” Brittany recalls. “As a physio, I knew it wasn’t in a place where you’d expect a normal injury. It was egg-shaped and just didn’t seem right.” Despite initial reassurances from the team’s medical staff, Britt remained concerned.
By October, the lump was still there, prompting further investigation when Cam returned to the Blues. “They decided to go for some scans,” Britt explains. “The ultrasound immediately showed something abnormal, and the MRI confirmed it. A biopsy was the next step.”
Cam and Brittany were preparing for a trip to Fiji while waiting for the results. “We still went on the trip,” says Britt, “but it was hard not knowing.” Upon their return, the confirmation came. “I got a phone call about surgical dates,” Cam remembers. “I was confused, then got the news—it was sarcoma.”
Britt shares, “I was hanging out the washing when he got the call. When I heard the word ‘sarcoma,’ I just broke down.”
Cam and Britt handled the diagnosis differently. “I’m more optimistic,” Cam admits. “I was in denial, thinking everything would be fine.” Britt, on the other hand shared, “I knew what the signs pointed to and tried to prepare Cam, but it was still a shock.”
Cam faced his treatment with the same determination he shows on the rugby field. “It was like preparing for the biggest game of my life,” he says. Brittany’s support was unwavering. “We kept it between us initially, giving us time to process and support each other.”
The days following the diagnosis were intense. By November 30th, Cam had surgery to remove the tumour. Cam’s recovery was challenging. “The surgery was big. I spent five days in the hospital and then had to get used to walking again. Not being able to train before Christmas was tough. Going from being in peak physical condition to barely moving was hard.”
Brittany noticed a significant change in Cam’s mood during this time. “He went from moving every day to doing nothing.
“It was probably the hardest part of the whole process.” Cam adds, “Watching my team train while I was on the sidelines was tough. I’m someone who likes to keep going, and I couldn’t.”
Recovery was slow but steady. “By January, I was back to training full time, although still non-contact.” Brittany adds, “He got the all-clear to start gradually returning to rugby by January 20th. Within ten weeks of his surgery, he played a Super Rugby level game in Japan.”
Cam reflects on his return to the field, “I felt a step behind, but it was liberating. It made me feel like I wasn’t just a passenger in the team.” Brittany admits there were concerns. “It was a tension point in our relationship. I wanted him to be alive and well, and seeing him push himself so soon after surgery was hard. It really put things into perspective about what really matters.”
Throughout this journey, Cam and Britt kept the news mostly to themselves. “We told close friends and family, but not many others,” Britt explains. “Cam wanted to be treated like normal, so we respected his wishes and didn’t post on social media or tell a lot of people.”
After surgery, Cam had to undergo radiation therapy. He started radiation on February 26th, 2024. Cam describes the process, “The first couple of weeks were fine, but by the third week, I started feeling fatigued.” Despite the intense treatment, Cam continued to train and play. “I played a full 82 minutes against the Hurricanes after two weeks of radiation,” he says. “But by the time I played the Waratahs in Sydney, the fatigue hit hard.” Britt adds, “It was hard seeing him push himself so much.”
When it came to Cam’s team, not everyone grasped the seriousness of his situation. “Some of them didn’t even know I had cancer,” Cam shares. “I told them about the surgery and the need for radiation, but they didn’t connect the dots.” Britt explains, “Cam wanted to be treated normally, but it was hard when people didn’t fully understand what was going on.”
Despite the miscommunication, Cam’s teammates were supportive. “They always checked in on me,” Cam says. “I even had mates from other teams visit me in the hospital.” Britt adds, “His close mates were amazing, always checking in on both of us and helping out however they could.”
Cam’s whānau and friends played a crucial role in his recovery. “My close mates knew early on and were always there for me,” Cam says. “They’d drop off food, help with chores, and just hang out with me.” Britt adds, “Cam’s mates did everything they could to support us. His friends’ partners also helped out a lot and his uncle from Gisborne and his dad from Perth came to support him during the treatment.”
Cam’s positive attitude also played a significant role in his recovery. “My carefree attitude helped me a lot,” Cam admits. “I always thought, ‘She’ll be right,’ and that kept me going.”
“I just wanted to be normal and keep going,” he says. “Even when I was stuck at home, staring at the roof, I tried to stay positive.”
Brittany acknowledges his strength. “Cam is the strongest person I know. He handled everything with such grace and determination.”
Cam’s first proper game back after completing his radiation treatment was set to be a special one. Seeing Cam back on the field was a profound experience. Brittany shares, “Just to see him back out there again. It was crazy, you know. Like, and he did well.” Friends and family in Melbourne, as well as some of his Aussie friends, joined to celebrate. “We made him signs and everything like that. It was just so cool to see him out there. And we were super close. He saw us before he ran out and was smiling at me, which was really nice.”
Reflecting on the game, Cam remembers the intensity. “It was definitely fast. I remember it being very fast. Yeah. It was only 20 minutes. But it felt like I’d been out there the whole game. I was so gassed.” Each game since has gotten progressively easier for him.
Cam’s journey of reintegrating back into Rugby highlighted the importance of support systems. His coaches and medical staff played crucial roles. “When Cam came and asked for a rest, they gave it to him, thankfully,” says Britt. “No questions asked.” Communication was key, especially with his head coach, Vern. “He very much listened to Cam, you know. Britt recalls. “And when I asked for the time off, he said, take it, take as long as you want.” Cam mentions.
One particularly touching moment came at Eden Park, where two young brothers from North Harbour made special signs for Cam. “They had pictures with Cam on there and photos that they had had with Cam. It was really cute.”
What it means to Cam to be an Ambassador for The Sarcoma Foundation
As an ambassador for The Sarcoma Foundation NZ, Cam’s role holds deep personal significance. “One of my best mates, Teina, passed away from leukaemia when we were 17,” Cam shares. “That was definitely something that’s always been on my mind.” His survival story aims to promote awareness and encourage others to take health concerns seriously. “If I could just promote being smarter – or not smarter, just being more aware of your body and who you can go talk to.”
Cam’s journey and his role as an ambassador are about more than just rugby. It’s about using his platform to raise awareness and support others. “We’re doing things not only with the Sarcoma Charity but with others too” Britt explains. “Like tomorrow for the Blues game, there’s actually a Pasifika cancer support group. And they’ve got a men’s group who we’ve got free tickets to come to the game.”
Through it all, Cam remains humble and dedicated. “He’s definitely working towards stuff,” says Britt. “He’s working with the foundation for his friend, Teina, who passed away. His mum is running the charity there too.”
For Cam, being an ambassador and sharing his story is about giving back and helping others. “It’s definitely a privilege,” he says. “Not only to give back to, you know, Andy who helped so much and helped make this journey not so daunting.”
Cam has now completed his treatment and was declared cancer-free. Reflecting on his journey, he says, “The experience changed me. It taught me the importance of life, early detection, and the power of support.”
Cam’s battle with sarcoma has inspired him to help others. As an ambassador for the Sarcoma Foundation NZ, he aims to raise awareness and support those facing similar battles. “I want to give back and help others understand they’re not alone. Together, we can fight this disease.”
Cam’s story is a testament to resilience and hope. He encourages everyone to stay vigilant about their health. “If my story can inspire just one person to get checked, then it’s worth it. Early detection saves lives.”
We are proud to have Cam Suafoa as an ambassador for the Sarcoma Foundation NZ. His journey embodies the spirit of our mission. Together, we can work towards a future where no one has to face sarcoma alone. He waka eke noa – We’re in this together.