for a better tomorrow

Issue 4 October 2014HOPE

Patients find support thanks to your generosityThe simple truth is that every day, close to 60 New Zealanders hear the words, “I’m sorry, but you have cancer.”

This was the case for Hilary Watson (pictured above) whose GP found a mass in her abdomen - scans and biopsies confirmed that Hilary had ovarian cancer.

Surgery, several rounds of chemotherapy and radiotherapy followed during which Hilary received regular visits and phone calls from her Cancer Society nurse Bridget.

As Hilary explains:

“Bridget is lovely – she is like a kind, warm, listening friend - but she has all this knowledge and can make really practical suggestions too. I knew if there was anything I was worried about or needed, I could ask her.”

It is because of your generosity that patients and families can receive this kind of support from a Cancer Society nurse who is with them right through their cancer treatment journey and who can visit them at home.

In the recent Daffodil Day mail appeal, donors raised almost $130,000 – this money will be used to help provide Community Liaison nursing care, information and practical support that makes a world of difference to cancer patients and their families. Thank you so much.

From John’s desk Pg 2

A home away from home Pg 2

Daffodil Day roundup Pg 3

Smokefree developments Pg 4

IN THIS ISSUE

“ I went to Cancer Society’s Domain Lodge for my chemo orientation & opted in for a Cancer Society nurse to visit me. That was one of the best decisions I made.”

Pg 2

Amy was referred to stay at Cancer Society’s Domain Lodge and she began the first of four rounds of chemo followed by radiation treatment.

“It was great to be at Domain Lodge. Me and my partner Lee and my mum and Karleigh all stayed. Everyone was so friendly and open. When you are out in the real world and you say you have cancer people don’t know what to say, but here everyone has got it so you can sort of bond over it.”

Amy completed her treatments in August and is now at home. Once she is feeling better she plans to get back to her job part-time:

“I am a hairdresser and I lost all my hair so I know how that can affect you – when I am feeling better I want to do something to help other cancer patients so I am hoping to use my hair and beauty skills to volunteer.”

Amy and her family were so grateful to have a “home away from home” at Domain Lodge during treatment, as she says:

“I just want to say thank you to all the supporters of Cancer Society – every bit really counts – without Domain Lodge it would be a mission finding somewhere to stay in Auckland during treatment.”

As well as being an important fundraiser for Cancer Society, for many of us this year’s Daffodil Day was also a day of remembrance and reflection upon how cancer has touched our own lives and those of our loved ones.

This year saw a record turnout of volunteer collectors across our region with thousands of supporters putting money in a bucket, undertaking a sponsored challenge or responding to a Daffodil Day appeal.

Whatever your level of involvement, I sincerely thank you. Your gifts of money or time are invaluable and make a real difference to a community striving to overcome cancer.

Reducing the incidence and impact of cancer is a complex issue requiring concentrated effort across many sectors including charities, health professionals, central and local government, workplaces and schools. Because of your support, Cancer Society is able to play a pivotal role in bringing individuals and organisations together

From John’s desk…

Domain Lodge – a home away from home for cancer patientsCancer was the last thing on new mum Amy Bryson’s mind as she and her family celebrated their first Christmas with Amy’s baby girl Karleigh.

But on Boxing Day Amy discovered a worrying lump on her neck and her GP referred her to an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist - biopsy and scans followed and Amy was diagnosed with Stage Two Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

As she explains:

“I did freak out a bit when I got the diagnosis - my dad died 7 years ago from melanoma and we have had a lot of cancer in the family…. but once I found out more about Hodgkin’s Lymphoma I knew it had a good cure rate so I didn’t feel as scared.”

John LoofChief Executive

Amy with Karleigh who is now 14 months old

John with Daffodil Day volunteer collectors Margaret and Neville Withers

and is providing a beacon of hope for New Zealanders facing cancer both today and in the future. Thank you so much.

Pg 3

Sam the weatherman did a live Breakfast TV cross from a field of daffodils created at Auckland’s Britomart. Passers-by were encouraged to make a donation to Cancer Society and pick their own daffodil!

Northcross Intermediate took a chilly approach

to fundraising this Daffodil Day with an Ice Bucket Challenge. While

the children dressed in yellow mufti for a gold

coin donation, teachers were coerced into having

buckets of icy water dumped over them for the cause. Their efforts raised

an impressive $2,700 for Cancer Society.

Businesses from across the region made special “Give Hope” donations to Cancer Society so that fresh daffodils could be delivered to brighten the day of cancer patients. Flowers and balloons were delivered on behalf of the businesses by Cancer Society volunteers and staff.

ANZ staff from across the country got all “daffodil-ed” up - sizzling sausages, selling cakes and rattling buckets to help fundraise for Daffodil Day.

Volunteer collectors Mel & Doug Healey outside Bunnings Warehouse in Whangarei

Rowers from Westlake Boys and Girls High Schools held a “rowathon”

for Daffodil Day in support of one of

their PE teachers who had lost her fiancé

to cancer. Students rowed 236,981 meters in 15.5 hours raising a

whopping $4,095 for Cancer Society.

Birkenhead Primary School entertained the public with a concert outside the Birkenhead Library. Wearing yellow & green mufti and crafty flower hats, their cheery tunes raised $477 for Cancer Society.

Daffodil Day Roundup

Pg 4

Cancer Society Auckland Northland

Contact AucklandPh: 09 308 0160PO Box 1724Shortland StreetAuckland 1140

Contact NorthlandPh: 09 437 5593PO Box 8100KensingtonWhangarei 0145

All cards measure 152mm by 112mm and are sold in packs of 10 cards and envelopes – they carry the Cancer Society logo on back. Packs cost $11, delivery costs will apply.

Order your cards online at www.cancersocietyauckland.org.nz/christmascards or call Dale on 09 308 0160 ext 331

Christmas cards on sale now...

Silver DoveDove & stars are silver foiledMessage: Best wishes for Christmas and the New Year

Festive NZ Native BirdsThankyou!

Money raised from the sale of this card will directly benefit cancer patients and their families.

To find out more about how Cancer Society can help please visit:www.cancersocietyauckland.org.nz

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Festive Native BirdsMessage: … and a Happy New Year

Heart of GoldThankyou!

Money raised from the sale of this card will directly benefit cancer patients and their families.

To find out more about how Cancer Society can help please visit:www.cancersocietyauckland.org.nz

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Daffodil HeartBlank inside for your own message

Pohutakawa BeachMessage: Season’s Greetings

Original artwork kindly supplied by Sarah C design

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Dreaming of a sunny Christmas print.pdf 1 9/09/13 5:47 PM

Mixed packLucky dip variety pack of 10 cards & envelopes

includes at least 3 favourite designs from previous years (content will vary)

Message: Various

Mayor supports SmokefreeWhangarei Mayor Sheryl Mai has taken the unprecedented step of writing an open letter to the national leaders of all political parties requesting their support in banning the commercial sales of tobacco and cigarettes by 1 January 2025.

The letter is a challenge to Government to put more plans in place to achieve their stated goal of creating a Smokefree New Zealand by 2025.

As the Mayor says:

“A total ban on sales might sound harsh, but if cigarettes were a new product to the market, they would most likely not be permitted due to their potential health effects, addictive nature and appeal to young people.”

With 5,000 New Zealanders still dying each year as a result of tobacco related illnesses, restricting the availability of cigarettes is a key priority in reducing the harm caused by smoking.

Fact box• Every year 5,000 New Zealanders die as a result

of tobacco related illnesses

• 4,000 New Zealand children start smoking each year– at an average age of just 14

Northland remains overrepresented in smoking statistics and the Mayor is determined to do her part to reduce the impact of smoking in the community.

Cancer Society welcomes this kind of leadership and commitment to Smokefree - a position that is also backed by a majority of the community - in a recent survey 62% of those interviewed want less places selling cigarettes in their community.

The Mayor’s letter received unanimous support from Whangarei District Councillors of all political persuasions, including from Councillor Brian McLachlan who has smoked cigarettes for 43 years and tried to quit “heaps of times”. As he says:

“What I need is simply not to have cigarettes available at the places I go to fill up my car, buy my groceries or last-minute stuff at the dairy. Whether I can see the smokes or not, I know they’re there, and I know I can get them.”

Whangarei Mayor Sheryl Mai supports a Smokefree Northland