CanNews 12

www.cancersoc.org.nz

2nd Quarter

Supporters Newsletter for the Wellington Division • Marlborough • Nelson • Wairarapa • Greater Wellington

Relay For Life 2012What’s on in your region?

Please contact your local Cancer Society office for more details: Wellington: 04 389 8421 Kapiti: 04 298 8514Nelson: 03 539 3662 Marlborough: 03 579 4379Wairarapa: 06 378 8039

See you on the track in 2013! Wairarapa - 23rd-24th February 2013 Blenheim - 2nd-3rd March 2013 Kapiti - 9th-10th March 2013 Wellington - 23rd-24th March 2013

The Cancer Society is pleased to announce another thoroughly successful Relay For Life season in 2012.

This year the Wellington Division held three Relays, one each in Nelson, Porirua and Wellington. All three events demonstrated the overwhelming commitment and passion our local communities have for Relay For Life. In total almost 5000 people took part and an amazing $700,000 was raised overall.

It was Porirua’s second Relay and with a unique Pacifica flavor the community came together to celebrate their survivors and carers and to remember loved ones lost.

It was a nervous time for Nelson in the days leading up to their Relay. With a ‘weather bomb’ predicted, emergency contingency plans were in place and fingers were well and truly crossed. As Wellington and parts of the upper South Island were buffeted by stormy weather, Nelson miraculously was spared and Relay went ahead in chilly but fine conditions.

Wellington celebrated its 10th Relay in real style. Perfect weather and a record number of participants set the scene for what was to be a truly remarkable event. Stilt walkers, fire eaters, drummers and numerous singers and performers all gifted their time and talents to keep the relayers entertained.

Over 100 volunteers contributed their skills and time to ensure participants had an enjoyable Relay experience. They packed 2490 team kits, cut 500 sashes, directed 500 cars in and out of the park, kept the track safe, sold merchandise, put out 1000 metres of

fencing and 500 cones, cooked breakfast and helped with the cleanup at the end. Quite simply, we couldn’t have put on an event this size without the help of volunteers and we thank each and every one of them for coming on this Relay journey with us.

But mostly, we would like to thank everyone who participated in Relay For Life. To all our team captains and team members - thank you for your commitment, for your passion and for sharing in our vision of a cancer free future.

• Wellington – CanX, 2nd Wednesday of each month, 5.30pm-7.30pm, Cancer Society, 52 Riddiford Street, Newtown.

• Upper Hutt Evening Support Group, 2nd Wednesday of each month, 7.30pm-9.00pm, Silverstream, Upper Hutt.

• Porirua Cancer Support Group, 1st Friday of each month, 10am-12 noon, 20 Ngatitoa Street, Elsdon, Porirua.

• Kapiti – CanSurvive Group, 4th Tuesday of each month, 6.30pm-8.30pm, Kapiti Rotary Room, Community Centre, Paraparaumu.

• Mindfulness with Stephen Archer, starting Monday 14th May for 6 weeks, 4.30pm-6pm, Kapiti Uniting Parish, 27 Raumati Road, Raumati.

• Nelson – Carers/Partners’ Support Group, Wednesday 19th September, 4 week course.

• Annual General Meeting, Thursday 28th June at Tahunanui Conference Centre 7.30pm. All welcome.

• WHK Cancer Society Charity Ball, 23rd June 2012 Rutherford Hotel. This is the Nelson Ball of the Year! We are proud to have WHK as our premier sponsor this year. Tables of ten, 8 tables already sold. Don’t miss out!

• Cancer Update Thursday 19th July 2012, Nick Smith’s Rooms, Annesbrook

• Wairarapa – Women’s Support Group, 3rd Wednesday of each month, 11am-1pm

• Men’s Support Group, every 4th Wednesday, 12.30pm-2.30pm

• South Wairarapa CanSupport Social Network Group, meets socially every 3 months, facilitated by Gayle Bright 04 306 6128

• Blenheim/Marlborough – Look Good Feel Better - 14th May.

Our Mission Improving community wellbeing by reducing the incidence and impact of cancer.

Ribbon cutting for the Opening Lap at the Porirua Relay.

Healthy food and eating well, a priority in the kitchen at Margaret Stewart House.

Eating Well During Cancer TreatmentThe Cancer Society’s Editorial Team has recently produced the sixth edition and complete revision of the popular booklet Eating Well.

The booklet has been renamed Eating Well During Cancer Treatment to focus on ways of coping with eating problems during treatment, food safety and making food easier to eat, for people having chemotherapy, radiation treatment or other cancer treatments. The text is complemented by attractive photography and quotes and tips from patients. We have included several recipes in this edition,

which many people with cancer and carers have asked for.

The Editorial Team – Sarah Stacey-Baynes from the Cancer Society’s National Office, Julie Holt (Wellington Division), Meg Biggs (Canterbury/West Coast Division) and Michelle Gundersen-Reid (Auckland Division), was greatly assisted in writing the booklet by expert advisors in the field of nutrition, and patients and carers.

Copies of the booklet are available by calling 0800 CANCER (226 237) or email: info@cancersoc.org.nz or from your local Cancer Society.

Cancer Society’s volunteers have an impact at the Wellington Blood and Cancer Centre on staff and those experiencing cancer whether they are a patient, caregiver, family whanau or friend.

People affected by cancer approach the treatment centre initially in trepidation but always with hope. What they do get is unobtrusive, practical and caring support from alert, perceptive volunteers. This small team of five regular CanDo volunteers and two ‘floaters’ make a difference day-in-day out as they do many things to ease the cancer journey.

“As a patient you would be forgiven for feeling apprehensive when you arrive at Wellington Blood and Cancer Centre for the first time. I know I was.

But such was the manifest professionalism and unstated but unmistakable empathy shown by everyone that I had the very reassuring sense of being in capable hands. Cancer Society volunteers were clearly integral to the Centre’s team – observant, solicitous but never intrusive. They do a wonderful job.”

A caregiver was fulsome in her appreciation of the volunteers. “They’re great, really helpful and you feel that you’re not alone especially on days when it’s all day chemo.”

A family member identified one of the team as a Good Sort, ONE News after quietly admiring the volunteer’s efforts from afar. She observed “You know that this is a tough place to be and she makes them feel good.

The Impact of a Volunteer Presence on the Day Ward of Wellington Blood and Cancer Centre

A laugh, even a cup of tea makes a huge difference.”

A recent trip to the supermarket took a surprising twist for a volunteer when she was tapped on the shoulder, and a voice said “Excuse me”.

“Standing there was a smiling ex-patient from the Day Ward, who said that she recognised me as the volunteer who had cared for her over a period of weeks, “If you knew what people like you, mean to people like me, you would be truly amazed!”

I explained that we are privileged to complement busy medical staff that simply did not have time to provide solace to all the chemotherapy patients as much as they would like. As volunteers we have the time to add to the patient’s comfort, to listen, to laugh, or sometimes to hold a hand. She insisted that the volunteer presence was outstanding, and on telling me that her prognosis was not good, her future limited, asked if I would give her a goodbye hug.

I must admit that as I drove off, tears in my eyes, I had time to reflect on the special role of the CanDo team.”

Compiled by Ann F Hodson, Manager Volunteering.

Cancer Update 18–21 JulyFor eleven years now we have held Cancer Update Week in Wellington, and each year we focus on a different cancer. We have always been able to attract a high calibre of visiting lecturers who have worked well on our behalf and have provided generously of their time.

For Cancer Update 2012 we are focusing on causes of cancer that can be controlled. We are to be joined by Professor Dallas English, Director of the Centre for Molecular, Environmental, Genetic and Analytic Epidemiology and a cancer epidemiologist. He is a principal investigator on the Australian Longitudinal Study on Male Health, a new initiative funded by the Australian Government’s Department of Health and Ageing that is based in the Melbourne School of Population Health. This study focuses on identifying the social determinants of male health. He is also a co-investigator on the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study (MCCS), which is based at the Cancer Council Victoria, where he also has an appointment.

You are most welcome to attend a public lecture on the 18th July to hear Professor English speak about the latest evidence on lifestyle factors and cancer. Please see details on the right hand page.

A guide for people with a dry mouth

Eating well during cancer treatmentKia pai te kai i te wā maimoatanga matepukupuku

LIVING WITH CANCER

A guide for eating well during treatment

Around 50 beautiful homes and gardens across the country opened their doors to more than 5,000 visitors in March for the NZ House & Garden Tours 2012, raising over $300,000 for the Cancer Society of New Zealand and Look Good Feel Better.

Along with Auckland and Queenstown, the Kapiti Tour was a sell-out success. Visitors were given a sneak-peek into such intriguing and inspirational homes as the iconic dome house of Fritz Eisenhofer, and the subtropical garden paradise of Frank Boffa. A wonderful day was also had by those celebrating the return of the event to Canterbury following the devastating earthquake last year.

We are sincerely grateful to NZ House & Garden for sponsoring the event, and of course our special thanks to the home owners, volunteers and those who attended the day in support of our cause.

Proceeds from the event will be used to help reduce the incidence and impact of cancer, as well as promote the confidence and well being of women currently undergoing treatment.

Mike – Our Marathon ManMike Wicksteed, a kiwi living near London, who retired last autumn after 22 years in the British civil service, recently celebrated achieving his goal to run the Paris Marathon before his 65th birthday.

He ran the Paris Marathon on 15th April in memory of his friend, Graham (GT) Langridge who sadly died in Wellington last December after a long but feisty battle with cancer.

Mike also set himself the goals of raising $1,500 to support the work of the Cancer Society Wellington and to run the marathon in under 5 Hours. He exceeded his fundraising goal, raising over $1,600 and he said “A dodgy knee at the 17 mile mark slowed me down and I finished in 5 hours 22 minutes – but finish I did!”

He learned a lot about things like nutrition, hydration and pacing himself. Training for a marathon proved a challenging project to kick off the next phase of his life and a good way to celebrate his 65th birthday in May while raising funds for the Cancer Society Wellington.

Congratulations on achieving those goals Mike and thank you for supporting our work with your fundraising efforts.

Kia Ora – E Te Iwi The development of Kia Ora – E Te Iwi reflects a commitment of the Cancer Society New Zealand to improve health outcomes for Maori by changing an existing service. The Living Well Programme has been provided by the Cancer Society for many years and Maori participation has remained low. This has influenced the decision to work in partnership with Maori health providers to develop a programme to be delivered for and by Maori.

Kia Ora – E Te Iwi provides an opportunity for whanau input and participation; it facilitates whanau access to information and support. The programme is for Maori cancer patients, their whanau, health professionals and people who work alongside all those affected by cancer. It is an educational and support programme that aims to increase knowledge of cancer, encourage discussion of common concerns and coping mechanisms, and encourage whanau to learn from each other. There are six sessions, each two hours long.

Hazel Neser – CanSupport Development Coordinator.

NZ House & Garden Tours 2012

 

Cancer Society Wellington Presents Annual Public Lecture Cancer Update 2012

 

Science Fact or Science Fiction  

Latest evidence on lifestyle factors and cancer  

Wellington Division 52 Riddiford Street, Newtown Wellington 6021 T: 04 389 8421 F: 04 389 5994

Where:

Spectrum Theatre, Ground Floor,

BP House cnr Customhouse Quay & Johnston St, Wellington

Date:

Wednesday 18 July 2012 6.00pm -7.30pm

Refreshments from 5.30pm

                                    

          

Introducing 

Professor Dallas English Director, Centre for Molecular, Environmental, Genetic and 

Analytic Epidemiology, University of Melbourne 

 

From the CE’s DeskI am a Relay For Life convert – I was privileged to participate in the Porirua and Wellington Relays during February and March. What a wonderful event where we celebrate with those that have survived cancer, where we remember family and loved ones that have lost the battle to cancer, and where we come together and fight back against this disease that touches us all in some way during our lives. Nelson too held a very successful event in March. A big thank you to all our volunteers, committee members, team captains, sponsors, staff and participants who made our 2012 Relays such a success. Across the 3 Relays over $700,000 was raised - An awesome effort!

A cancer diagnosis need no longer be considered a death sentence. A recent study published by researchers from Otago University’s department of public health

has shown that mortality rates have fallen by about a third since 1991. The reasons for this are varied and include earlier diagnosis, improved surgical techniques, more effective drugs and better care and information. The Cancer Society has an integral role to play

through the provision of our extensive information and support services, our health promotion work and the funding of research projects through universities and medical institutes such as Otago University and the Malaghan Institute.

But there is still much to do in the fight against cancer. In New Zealand survival rates may be improving but they vary significantly when we break them down by ethnic group and household income. For example Maori have a 29% higher death rate than non-Maori, and there is a huge gap between those on high and low

incomes. The Cancer Society has a role to play in ensuring these inequalities are addressed. We have recently launched a programme called “Kia Ora – E Te Iwi” a cancer education and support programme which has been developed in partnership with iwi and Maori health providers to develop a cancer education programme delivered for Maori by Maori. It has been received very positively.

The Cancer Society continues to rely largely on the financial and the volunteer support of individual donors. We receive no government funding for our work. Your support, no matter whether large or small is very much appreciated. Thank you.

Michael Smith - Chief Executive.

Relay For Life - Thank you to our Sponsors Funds raised at Relay For Life help the Cancer Society continue its work providing access to free services, funding for research and information and support for the one in three people in New Zealand affected by cancer. From the moment of diagnosis right through to treatment and recovery the Cancer Society in your area is there to help minimise the impact of cancer.

We would like to acknowledge the generous contribution of all our Sponsors who either donated cash or goods in-kind to help make our Relays the success they were.

Daffodil Day - Friday 31st August 2012Daffodil Day, the flagship appeal of the Cancer Society, is just around the corner. As well as providing an opportunity to raise awareness of cancer in New Zealand, Daffodil Day is a chance to raise vital funds.

The Cancer Society receives no direct government funding and is reliant on donations to provide its services free of charge.

This year will mark the 22nd anniversary of Daffodil Day and the Cancer Society’s partnership with The National Bank who has supported Daffodil Day since it began in 1990.

The daffodil is one of the first flowers of spring, whose bright yellow blooms remind us of the joys the new season will bring. It represents hope for almost 20,000 New Zealanders diagnosed with cancer each year.

Daffodil Day Needs You!

If you have a few hours to spare this Daffodil Day, Friday 31st August, then we would love to hear from you.

To find out more about becoming a volunteer collector or area coordinator please call our Manager Volunteering, Ann Hodson on (04) 389 0050 or email annh@cancersoc.org.nz