Navar Herbert, a 22-year-old rugby player, married his fiancée and mother of his child, Maia Falwasser, in Gold Coast, Australia on June 24, but passed away the next day.
Herbert was diagnosed with a brain tumor a few months ago and was terminally ill, reported Metro.
The video below posted on Twitter shows the emotional event:
Navar Herbert’s Journey Home
Go fund me link: https://t.co/WCkyaecoMf https://t.co/HbnRNTscxH
— helena falwasser (@HQFalwasser) June 27, 2019
Herbert lived in Queensland. After being diagnosed with the fatal tumor, his state quickly deteriorated.
Falwasser created a GoFundMe page to raise enough money to send Herbert’s body back to his hometown in New Zealand. It has surpassed its goal of $100,000, with over 2,600 donors.
She wrote: “Today my heart is heavy and sad, I lost my best friend, Husband and the Father to our Son. I feel absolutely showered in LOVE by friends and family, this is a hard time, however i do find my strength and refuge in everybody’s support,” read the statement.
“Navar’s Journey has just begun, shortly we will be taking him back to Kotahitanga Marae, where he has asked to be laid to rest. He has impacted so many people near and far, and he will always be in our memories and have a special place in our hearts.”
Young Kiwi Navar Herbert died of brain tumour just days after marrying sweetheart https://t.co/K85dNPbIms pic.twitter.com/luk8QCEPWg
— BMI Calculator NZ (@BMICalculatorNZ) June 28, 2019
“As expected, costs to take Navar back home along with his immediate family have been quite extensive, and to give us every opportunity to spend our last moments spending time with him, we are asking for donations to assist with this. I am truly truly appreciative of your support,” she concluded.
The day of his wedding, Navar Herbert woke and told his mum: “Today’s the day I die.” She replied: “No you’re getting married at 4pm”. ????❤ https://t.co/rt6kbobghb pic.twitter.com/p5I4azXJqm
— news.com.au (@newscomauHQ) June 29, 2019
Their friends and family were present for the emotional event, including their young son, Kyrie.
Herbert can be heard expressing his love for Falwasser. She put the ring on his finger, and after she caressed his hand, they were proclaimed husband and wife for life and embraced each other.
“Navar Herbert’s Journey Home”: Gold Coast GoFundMe almost at target https://t.co/Xk8NsErSNv #GoldCoastNews pic.twitter.com/AtddzNuTsD
— myGC.com.au (@myGoldCoast) June 26, 2019
After the matrimonial ceremony, a group of friends performed an intense haka to Navar, and then congratulated the union one by one.
When he was sent encoffined back to his homeland, and a final powerful haka was performed in this Facebook video:
According to The American Association of Neurological Surgeons,
“A brain tumor, known as an intracranial tumor, is an abnormal mass of tissue in which cells grow and multiply uncontrollably, seemingly unchecked by the mechanisms that control normal cells. More than 150 different brain tumors have been documented, but the two main groups of brain tumors are termed primary and metastatic.”
“Primary brain tumors include tumors that originate from the tissues of the brain or the brain’s immediate surroundings. Primary tumors are categorized as glial (composed of glial cells) or non-glial (developed on or in the structures of the brain, including nerves, blood vessels and glands) and benign or malignant,” reads the page.
“Metastatic brain tumors include tumors that arise elsewhere in the body (such as the breast or lungs) and migrate to the brain, usually through the bloodstream. Metastatic tumors are considered cancer and are malignant.”
