Relay For Life North Otago |
The soggy day did not deter hundreds of North Otago participants and volunteers from enjoying a wonderful, energetic day at Takaro Park on 4th of March!
The sky may have been grey but the mood in everyone's hearts was definitely purple. 16 motivated teams relayed through the 7 hour event as they remembered and celebrated loved ones who they had lost to cancer. An amazing volunteer team offered their time to help support the day with baking, marshalling, pack in and pack out and basically anything we needed them to do. We couldn’t have done it without them! North Otago has raised $24,521 of our $50,000 goal, with 80 individuals on 16 teams ODT article: Relay for Life supports cancer warriors (Wanaka) |
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Relay For Life Wānaka was held at Pembroke Park on 18th and 19th of March. It was an intimate event and smaller than previous years but with a committed and an enthusiastic group of locals participating in the event to Celebrate, Remember, and Fight Back.
Andrew Thompson was the event ambassador opening our Relay and speaking at the Candlelight Ceremony about the highs and lows of the he and his whānau’s journey. He was inspirational as he promoted his message other on their journey to trust and let go, step way from fear and seek peace to provide hope and celebrate each day of life.
The event wouldn’t run without amazing volunteers who turned out and did an awesome job. So too the local community that donated, food, time, equipment and much, much, more to make a difference to local people with cancer. A big shout out and thank you to you all – well done! Wānaka has raised $25,292 of our $120,000 goal, with 101 individuals on 13 teams |
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Relay For Life Otago Students |
Dunedin's University of Otago, Otago Polytechnic, and secondary school students brought new energy and enthusiasm to Relay this year. The students embraced dressing up as teams, from an inflatable T-Rex to life-size road cones, their creativity was astonishing! At midnight, the teams came together during a touching candlelight ceremony to remember loved ones lost to cancer. Finally, these inspiring young people have surpassed our fundraising expectations, with the goal to help us fight back against cancer. Otago Students have raised $123,969 of our $100,000 goal, with 570 individuals on 50 teams ODT articles:
Student to mark ‘harrowing time’ of sister’s cancer by running relay Student relay raises more than $100K for cancer |
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Thank you, Relay For Life Volunteers! |
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Put your own mark on fundraising for cancer support in your community. |
You can for cancer is the Cancer Society's DIY fundraising website that lets you turn any activity into a fundraiser - from cosplay to chopping the mop, baking to bowling, learning something new or giving something up, and more... 1 in 3 people in Otago & Southland are affected by cancer. We're on a mission to change that...
The funds you raise will contribute to cancer research, prevention, and support services for people affected by cancer right here in Otago and Southland. Help us take action in the fight against cancer.
Create and share your own fundraising activity, challenge, or event with youcanforcancer.org.nz |
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Our amazing community fundraisers
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| • Spartans Golf have raised $10,000 for Daffodil House through their golf fundraiser.
• Our wonderful Billy Mitchell is busy organizing a quiz night in Oamaru – thanks Leanne for contacting Billy! • Bradley Thursday has raised $1500 through a DJ concert in Southland • Charlotte Forbes raised $1015 for her Goodbye Long Hair fundraiser • Jessie McKenzie has raised $2,291 from busking and shaving her head in public • Rockgas Wanaka held an auction at the Wanaka A&P show and raised an incredible $3,253 – thanks to Nicole for supporting them! • (pictured) Queens Park Ladies Golf Club in Invercargill raised a wonderful $576 from their recent raffle Thank you so much for supporting people affected by cancer in your community. |
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You can for cancer... Push your limits! |
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Dan, Ollie and James are buddies from Dunedin and have all been personally affected by cancer. As part of their gap year, they have decided to challenge themselves to Germany's Frankfurt Marathon this October. This will be their first ever marathon.
They collectively said: “It means a lot to us to know that we have the support of the people at home, especially when we will be competing overseas!”
You can follow their fundraising journey on Instagram @frankfurt4cancer or support them here: You can for cancer |
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Well, I finally did it. After postponing three times due to bad weather, I finally jumped out of a plane!
You may remember that I signed up as part of our inaugural Jump for Cancer campaign last year. In considering whether I would skydive, I was struck that the terror I felt at jumping out of a plane was nothing like the terror that someone feels when they hear the words "you have cancer".
So, in facing my fear of heights, I wanted to acknowledge all those people that the Cancer Society serves who don't get to choose their situation and raise money for our mahi. As I was hurled out of the plane, I realised another analogy for our work. During the free-falling, I felt buffeted and helpless. The pressure built until it was almost unbearable.
At that moment, the parachute went up, and I was caught on the updraft. That moment was a bit like what I imagine it could be like for a cancer patient entering our services.
Sure, it didn't change the fact that I was still going down, but it gave me a sense of control and safety and made the landing much smoother. Overall, the experience was a mix of exhilarating and terrifying, and I'm glad to have pushed my limits!
Jump For Cancer is returning next month - is it your turn? |
| Dr Rachael Hart
Chief Executive
Cancer Society of New Zealand, Otago and Southland |
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Picture yourself at the open doorway of a plane. Feel the air rushing past you, your quickened pulse as you look down on the breathtaking Southern Alps. Imagine edging towards the door, and then before you know it… 3... 2... 1... jump!
Let this be the year you finally tick it off your bucket list, or jump with a new view, all while doing good and giving back. Do something you'll never forget. Experience the thrill of helping to create a future with less cancer! Together, we can make a world of difference. You'll be proud that you did.
Get your friends & family to sponsor you - raise $1,000 or more to redeem your free jump at either NZONE Skydive Queenstown or Skydive Wanaka anytime in May. |
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Our Health Promotion Team has been gathering many community voices for their important input for the Smoked Tobacco Regulatory Regime. The main points consulted on were:
• Retailer reduction - there will be a limit of 600 retailers across Aotearoa allowed to sell tobacco as of July 2024 • Online sales of tobacco - we strongly recommended against to ensure it’s not sold to minors • Very low nicotine from 1st of April 2025 - for smoked tobacco products
• Youth vaping- limiting the names for vape flavours to reduce appeal to youth |
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Currently in Otago and Southland, there are 496 tobacco retail outlets and the proposal is for 94. The map is what was proposed however, there was a lot of feedback from the community that there were too many in the rural areas and that the placement needs reviewing. |
| Have a look at the E-Liquid Flavour Wheel above.
Can you believe that currently there are many more vape flavours than those mentioned in the flavour wheel‽ |
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Our team is supporting and advocating for 609 people affected by cancer. |
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| Demand for our services has doubled over the past year, and cancer diagnosis rates continue to increase.
As you may be aware there is some changes happening in the Otago and Southland Radiology department, where clients living in our region may be required to travel out of town to Wellington and Christchurch for radiation treatment.
This is a shift in the on-going long term treatment plans of our clients, so we are keeping an eye on this, as whilst it is important that clients get timely treatment, we also want to ensure they have the right psychosocial supports in place when they are receiving treatment away from their homes and wider whānau.
If you or someone you love needs help navigating the healthcare system, please get in touch today by emailing supportivecare@cansoc.org.nz or calling: Southland: 03 218 4108
Coastal Otago (South and North Otago): 03 477 7447 Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes: 03 442 4281 or complete the referral form for yourself or someone else here: |
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We're hiring: Health Navigators
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Welcome, new Local Hero businesses! |
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We need your support to help us to continue to deliver services to people with cancer and their whānau.
As a Hope For Life monthly donor, you will make a huge impact. Your ongoing gift will make sure no one faces cancer alone and partner in our mission to beat cancer for generations to come. Kiwis facing cancer today need your support – donate now to show how much you care. |
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Have you considered leaving a gift in your will? |
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| Our support services, prevention programmes, and groundbreaking cancer research are only possible because of donors like Fran.... and you. Fran's support for our work
Fran Miller left the Cancer Society a bequest in her will in recognition of the help and support she received after a brush with a brain tumour, because: |
"Cancer Society kept me going when I was really at a low point, (after diagnosis with a malignant brain tumour) and gave me the encouragement I needed to realise I could fight my way out of this."
- Fran Miller, Bequest Donor |
Our promise We are committed to honouring your gift by giving hope and care to those with cancer today and reducing cancer for tomorrow's generation. |
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Cancer Society Otago & Southland Division Inc.
PO Box 6258, Dunedin 9059
283 Great King Street, Dunedin 9016
T: 03 477 7447
E: info@cansoc.org.nz unsubscribe |
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