1 Cancer Society of New Zealand Central Districts Division www.cancer.org.nz

Winter/Spring 2020

Hope shines fromTaranaki BusinessCancer Society Fundraising and Events Coordinator Cassie Rowe, had her heart set on creating a jewellery line to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Daffodil Day. It looked out of reach when the Covid-19 pandemic sent the country into lockdown, until a colleague put her in touch with Bill Roy and Lynette Rowan, the co-owners of Dalgleish.

“I wanted to work with a local business, so the introduction to the Dalgleish team was perfect. Their reputation for creating amazing jewellery is well known within our community,” says Cassie.

“We wanted something that could be personalised, but took their advice on what people would love to see. During our very first Zoom chat, Bill was designing pieces as we talked. Within a week, we had our very first samples that we fell in love with,” said Cassie.

Bill has more than 30 years’ experience creating fine jewellery, including seven years in a London workshop contracted to the original and long-serving Crown Jeweller Garrard & Co.

The disc-style range includes a charm, pendant and earrings in both stirling silver and 9ct yellow gold. Each is carefully stamped with the Cancer Society’s daffodil on the front. The daffodil is looked upon by many people with cancer, survivors and their whanau, as a symbol of hope.

The back of each piece has purposefully been left blank. “We wanted to create something classic that provided the

opportunity for personalisation. The blank back means you can engrave a date, a name or initials to make the piece even more special,” says Bill.

Alongside the range is a limited edition 18ct gold pendant with 30 brilliant-cut diamonds surrounding it, which has been donated to feature as part of the Cancer Society’s fundraising auctions on Trade Me during August.

As an essential service, the Cancer Society continued to operate over lockdown helping Taranaki cancer clients travel to vital treatment outside of the region. Traditional face to face support services took place over the phone and were key to helping Taranaki people with cancer during an already difficult time.

“While we still had ongoing costs, our fundraising efforts were hit hard. Relay For Life had to be postponed until 2021 and we’re very aware the local businesses who are so quick to support us are in a very different position and we want to be respectful of that,” says Cassie.

“The jewellery line will be a key part of fundraising this year and we’re indebted to Dalgleish Diamonds for their generosity. We are blown away and cannot thank them enough,” says Cassie.

“We are proud to support and work with the Cancer Society to commemorate their 30th anniversary of Daffodil Day,” says Bill.

“The work they do to help the community is to be commended and we’re so glad we can support them as a charity.” n

Purchase your jewellery throughout August by visiting

www.cancersocietytaranaki.com/shop

Bill Roy and Lynette Rowan, the co-owners of Dalgleish Diamond Jewellers in New Plymouth.

An off the cuff suggestion earlier this year has led to a nationwide campaign for the Taranaki Cancer Society thanks to the generosity of local jeweller, Dalgleish Diamonds.

The stunning Daffodil Day line of jewellery available through the month of August designed and made in Taranaki by Dalgleish Diamond Jewellers.

2 Cancer Society of New Zealand Central Districts Division www.cancer.org.nz

Queen Honours Divisional ChairmanTreating cancer patients never gets easy for one of the country’s leading oncologists, but he is always humbled by the strength and character shown by those battling the disease.

Feilding’s Dr Garry Forgeson was given the highest accolade out of those in Manawatū featured on the Queen’s Birthday Honours list, being made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to oncology.

He has been a medical oncologist at Palmerston North Hospital since 1988, with his career also involving a range of governance positions.

He also led the work to create regional cancer treatment services between Palmerston North, Gisborne, Hastings, Taranaki and Whanganui hospitals.

The decision to move into oncology came during his final year of medical studies “for reasons that are not clear for me”, he said.

But being able to work with a range of patients, young and old, was appealing.

The discipline was not especially interesting at the time, but treatments and care for cancer patients had since evolved out of sight.

Chemotherapy had gone about as far as it could, with targeted treatments and immunotherapy taking an ever-increasing role in battling cancer, he said.

Treatment was increasingly successful, meaning people were living longer and better lives after a cancer diagnosis, he said.

But it was still difficult, as oncologists were not able to cure everyone, and Forgeson said dealing with the emotions from that may be getting harder as he got older.

“It’s always difficult, and it’s important to have high levels of empathy,” he said.

“But it’s also important to not try get too involved, otherwise it would become a situation that did destroy people.”

Cancer care in New Zealand was a “postcode lottery” when he got into the trade, with different health boards funding different treatments.

Creating a national approach to oncology had created far better results, he said.

He had also worked to make Cancer Society branches across the Central Districts more equal in the services they could provide.

Cancer was a very difficult disease, associated with fear and anxiety, he said.

“It’s fairly common in the community - people see it - and it often has a time course.”

But the response from people suffering from it was often quite amazing, he said.

“Patients have always humbled me, generally, with how courageous they are in dealing with it.

“The large majority of patients seem to be able to call on an inner strength to deal with it and move through it.”

His success had to be credited to the oncologists, pathologists, physicians, nurses “who are very patient with me” and others involved in treating cancer patients, he said.

He had also been supported by his wife Deborah and their children, as his work often kept him away from them. n

Story published courtesy of StuffPhoto: David Unwin, Stuff

Words: Jono Galuszka

June saw the anticipated launch of the Oncology Host programme at Palmerston North Hospital.

The programme will see Cancer Society volunteers at the hospital to help guide and support cancer patients and their families through treatment. There will be two volunteers on shift throughout the day, one manning reception, the other floating between departments.

They are there to check appointment times and locations, as well as simply sit with patients or make a cup of tea. Oncology Hosts are not there to give medical advice, but are an ear to listen, a hand to hold and a voice to guide.

It is a role that needs volunteers with outstanding listening skills and is a welcome addition to the range of services we can offer.

As this service is new to the hospital we are on the lookout for more volunteers to cover three-hour shifts, morning or afternoon. If this is something that interests you, please contact Lydia Pei, Volunteer Coordinator for the Cancer Society Manawatu Centre for more information.

lydia.pei@cancercd.org.nz or ph 06) 356 5355 nSome of the amazing volunteers who have signed up to be

Oncology Hosts at Palmerston North Hospital.

Oncology Host Launch

3www.cancer.org.nz Cancer Society of New Zealand Central Districts Division

Celebrating 30 Years Of Daffodil Day

30 StoriesThroughout August the Cancer Society will be sharing stories for people across Aotearoa and their journeys with cancer.

Among those 30 stories is Hawke’s Bay woman Katrina McLean.

Katrina is wife to Tom and mum to their two young children while providing care for Tom who was diagnosed with a rare sarcoma cancer on his heart.

Here’s her story:“Last year my husband

had pains in his heart, he felt dizzy and breathless. Trips to doctors and the emergency department found nothing. We finally saw a cardiologist who confirmed a cancer growth in his heart and that he needed surgery ASAP.

We live in the Hawke’s Bay, have a 3 year old boy, and I was pregnant with our second child at the time.

After sarcoma surgery in Wellington we were told he has three years if we are lucky. He’s had chemo and radiation treatment in Palmerston North and his scans have come back clear. I gave birth to our daughter on his second to last day of chemo.

It was hard being a caregiver over this time. There was nobody I could relate to. So I started a blog on Facebook called “Supporting the Supporters” to share my story of what this was like for me and my family.”

Daffodil AuctionsThroughout the month of

August we’ll be running online auctions to help raise funds to support the work we do in the community.

Keep an eye on Trade Me as there are some pretty amazing items that you could have the chance to own!

Including a limited edition 18ct gold pendant with 30 brilliant cut diamonds surrounding it, crafted by Taranaki’s Dalgleish Diamond Jewellers to complement the sterling silver and 9ct gold Daffodil Day range of charms, pendants and earrings.

There’s also the chance to win lunch with New Zealand’s Director General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield – what

questions would you ask him if you had the chance to have lunch with him?

These two items, among others will auctioned on Trade Me and promoted on social media.

My Daffodil2020 sees the introduction of ’My Daffodil’.It’s a virtual daffodil you can dedicate to someone and plant

on a map of New Zealand. ’My Daffodil’ is generated when a donation is made online

via www.daffodilday.org.nz and can be shared via social media to show your support of the work the Cancer Society does in your local community.

My Daffodil is a concept designed to complement the annual street appeal and brighten up Aotearoa.

Street AppealDaffodil Day is the biggest day on the Cancer Society’s

fundraising calendar and even though, as a nation things have changed in recent months, we have continued to provide essential services for people receiving treatment. We won’t stop helping and caring, because cancer doesn’t stop.

With our army of cheery volunteers, we’ll be present on local streets on Friday August 28th with our collection buckets. So if you can support us, regardless of how big or small an amount, please know you can make a difference in someone’s life.

Beau the BearKia ora, I’m Beau the 30th

anniversary Daffodil Day bear. My whānau called me Beau

because I am very handsome and sport a stylish bow-tie.

I’m here to help the Cancer Society to celebrate 30 years of Daffodil Day.

Did you know the Cancer Society doesn’t stop because cancer doesn’t stop? My friends at the Cancer Society work hard to provide support for people with cancer and every dollar donated helps make hard times a little bit easier for the one in three New Zealanders affected by cancer.

I’m a special bear because I’m also the last Daffodil Day bear – so make sure you don’t miss out and pop into your nearest branch of ANZ or your local Cancer Society to buy me. You can also order me online www.daffodilday.org.nz from 1 August 2020. n

Friday August 28th marks the 30th anniversary of the Cancer Society’s Daffodil Day – a national day of hope.

This is a significant milestone for the charity and we’re excited to share some of the activities and events we have planned alongside our nationwide street appeal.

Cancer Society of New Zealand Central Districts Division www.cancer.org.nz4

UP COMING EVENTS 2020

AUGUST28 Aug ............. Daffodil Day ............................................www.cancernz.org.nz

SEPTEMBER1-30 Sep ..... Cervical screening awareness month1-30 Sep .......... Blue Sept month for prostate cancer1-30 ................ Genealogical cancer awareness month1 -30 Sep .......... Lymphoma awareness month5 Sep ............... International Day of Charity14-20 Sep ......... Maori Language week ................................www.tewikiotereomaori.co.nz 15 Sep ............. World Lymphoma awareness day24 .................. World Cancer Research Day

OCTOBER1-31 Oct ........... Breast Cancer Awareness month

Cancer Society Central Districts has joined TaxGift, an easy way our generous supporters donors can help us a little bit more without even having to reach for their pocket.

With one easy step, our supporters can help us by making their donations give twice.

If you are a New Zealand tax resident who has received taxable income in the current financial year, then you are entitled to a rebate of up to 33% on each donation that you make to the Cancer Society Central Districts.

If you sign up to TaxGift, that means for every $100 dollars you donate to us, you could give us another $33 without it even leaving your bank account.

It mightn’t sound like a lot by itself, but it could make a huge difference. It’s money that could help provide counselling or transport to lifesaving medical treatment or perhaps its resources for a whanau that have just received a cancer diagnosis of a loved one.

Just to confirm, your donation gives a second time – no money actually leaves your bank account when you sign up to TaxGift.

It is important to note that once you sign up you won’t be able to claim the tax credit for yourself, however you can opt out at any time by emailing: admin@taxgift.co.nz

Learn more here www.taxgift.co.nz or sign up to support Cancer Society Central Districts at www.central-districts.cancernz.org.nz/how-to-get-involved/make-a-donation/taxgift/ n

Introducing TaxGift

GRANTSThe Cancer Society Central Districts Division

and its regional centres are immensely grateful to the following grant providers who have provided

support in the past few months.

Napier City CouncilRoyston Health TrustMSD-Covid-19 Fund

VOLUNTEER FOR DAFFODIL DAY

Daffodil Day is about giving help and hope to those facing cancer today and in the future. 30 years of Daffodil Day

donations have enabled us to be there for New Zealanders during this difficult time. Give that help and hope to others

– volunteer this Daffodil Day.

Go to www.daffodilday.org.nz/#getinvolved2 and let us know you want to help.