On Saturday, October 7, the Millennium Hotel in Queenstown was the place to be as over 200 attendees gathered for the annual Naylor Love, Hugo Charitable Trust Cancer Society Ball.

The night was a resounding success, both in terms of fundraising and unforgettable memories made.

The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly the staggering $78,185 raised for cancer support initiatives.

The event, a collaborative effort between the Hugo Charitable Trust and Naylor Love, brought together a community of dedicated supporters who generously contributed to the cause.

Every dollar raised will go towards aiding individuals and families affected by cancer, providing them with much-needed assistance and support during their journey.

We were so grateful for our wonderful sponsors and everyone who attended the fun-filled event. It was heartwarming to witness the incredible generosity of our community.

The Naylor Love Cancer and Hugo Charitable Trust Cancer Society Ball was not just about raising funds; it was an evening filled with laughter, camaraderie, and entertainment. Attendees enjoyed a night of fine dining, live music, dancing, and a live and silent auction featuring various unique items and experiences.

The success of this event would not have been possible without the unwavering support of the sponsors, volunteers, and dedicated individuals who worked tirelessly to make it a reality. Their commitment to the cause has left an indelible mark on the fight against cancer.

Event Organiser Nicole Rushbrook lead a fabulous team of volunteers who combined their skills and experience to prepare and oversee such a wonderful event. Thank you to our wonderful volunteers for your help on the night.

This year's Queenstown ball is a shining example of what a community can achieve when it comes together for a common goal to celebrate life and hope.

📸 View the event photos by James Allan Photography on our Facebook gallery here

The newly opened Canterbury Cancer Centre is thrilled to announce the arrival of their first guest, Nick Farr. Nick has travelled from his Tākaka home in the Nelson Tasman region to undertake his cancer treatment in Christchurch. 

"We understand the challenges faced by families when a loved one needs to travel away from home for cancer treatment, and we are honoured to be able to offer guests like Nick a 'home away from home' where they can feel supported and cared for during what can be a challenging time of their life", said Cancer Society of New Zealand's chief executive of the Otago/Southland and Canterbury/West Coast Divisions Nicola Coom. 

The Centre is the largest facility of its kind in the South Island and has been built by the community, for the community. It signifies a new chapter in cancer care, welcoming cancer patients and their whānau from across Te Waipounamu.

Over the past year, the number of Otago and Southland cancer patients who stayed in Cancer Society accommodation in Christchurch increased nearly 5x, from 11% in 2022 to 50% in 2023. This number is expected to continue rising.

Coom says, "We have a big challenge in front of us; the demand for cancer services is increasing, and we can only respond to this together".   

We would love for those who have been diagnosed with cancer to join us online. This will be an opportunity to kōrero with others who are on a similar health journey. 

Sometimes guest speakers will present on a topic that is of interest to the group. This may include lifestyle topics and tips such as emotional well-being, nutrition, keeping active, or sleep. We may also delve into treatment issues and concerns such as fertility, lymphoedema, and alternative therapies or medications. 

We will meet on MS Teams on the last Thursday of each month 12 - 1 PM.  Bring your lunch and join us online, starting on the 26th of October.

Three Dunedin boys just out of high school want to make a difference by raising $3,000 for the Cancer Society. 

Dan, Ollie, and James will be running their first-ever marathons at the 2023 Frankfurt Marathon on the 29th of October - in Germany!

"We appreciate your support and look forward to the journey that this will take us on."  Show your support today 👇

👟 Walk, run, bike, swim, or skate... complete a marathon in the month of November however you'd like – and help cancer patients in Otago and Southland. It only takes 1.4 km each day to make a real difference! 

Sign up today and complete your Marathon In A Month this November.

Get involved at marathoninamonth.org.nz

72 Holes. 1 day.  The challenge is to successfully complete four rounds of golf, or 72 holes - in one day - to raise funds for the Cancer Society. Does 72 sound like too much? Try our new two-round 'half marathon' option, that's 36 holes or relay with your team members.

You choose the day, the course, and the team - or play solo if you prefer. The longest day of the year is Friday, 22 December 2023, but you can play any day in December or January that suits you.

Earn yourself some exclusive rewards as you hit major fundraising milestones, and feel seriously good about the difference you're making for New Zealanders on their cancer journey.

Thank you so much to Pete Claman for Chopping the Mop, raising $1,339  (nearly triple his original goal). His gorgeous auburn locks will also be transformed into a wig by Freedom Hair to support someone on their cancer journey. What an inspiring act of generosity, Pete 💛

You can watch the video of Pete's transformation for yourself 👇

It's been a month of Chop the Mops!

Joel Rowe bravely Chopped his Mop and raised an incredible $1,068 for cancer care, prevention, and research. Thank you, Joel and whānau for your support.

"We're very proud of you Joel! Total superstar 😊🤩 Mum & Dad"

Make a donation at www.youcanforcancer.org.nz/joelschopthemop

A huge thank you to Gail, John, Zone and Chris from the Waianiwa Garage for all Chopping their Mops.

As a team, they raised a staggering $11,343 for Southland!!

Thank you to everyone who kindly supported this community fundraiser, raising vital funds for people facing cancer in the Southland community.

Clinton Young Farmers Club has raised over $18,000 or the Cancer Society of Otago and Southland since 2021.

Thank you for your exceptional effort in raising over $6,000 at the annual quiz night again this year.

And what an amazing spread of local food and freshly baked treats! 

A further thanks to South Otago Women's Institute Cake Stall and Isla Ryan for her individual baking efforts which raised $1,252.

We are thrilled to share with you a significant achievement by Jamie Seymour from our Central Lakes Team. 

Jamie has been working closely with the Queenstown Lakes District Council and recently led a discussion that resulted in a unanimous vote to review their 17-year-old smokefree policy. 

Jamie will now start working with the council on this review – this has significant implications for the communities across Queenstown Lakes. 

We're posing 12 key asks to decision-makers that we know will help reduce the incidence and impact of cancer in Aotearoa. Many of these asks don't require vast overhauls of systems or major reviews. But they do require commitment, acceleration and investment. They will save money and they will save lives.

To find out more, download our Manifesto or our one-page snapshot from: cancer.org.nz/manifesto

We wouldn't be able to provide our vital services without the generous and enthusiastic support of individuals like you, your families, and your communities.

Your time, energy, and donations helped us towards achieving our mission of improving community wellbeing by reducing the incidence and impact of cancer. View the Annual Report 2023 to see how we've been serving Otago and Southland.

After winter, you may be craving some time in the sun. Part of this is your body wanting to restore its Vitamin D reserve to maintain healthy bones, teeth, and muscles and to help your immune system. 

Slop on the SPF 30+ sunscreen Studies have shown that our skin still makes enough Vitamin D when we wear sunscreen. Sunscreen helps to protect your skin from UV damage, and does not totally block the sun.

Did you know? After a few minutes of sun in a day, the skin stops making active Vitamin D. Staying in the sun longer will not boost Vitamin D levels, but it does greatly increase the risk of sun damage.   

Be sure to protect your skin and eyes now through April, from 10am - 4pm

We tailor our services to support each individual and their whānau based on their unique cancer journey. We can offer donated meals, transportation to treatment, expert advice on navigating the healthcare system, help with fitting a breast prosthesis, accommodation for those travelling for cancer treatment, welcoming support groups, and much more.

Your contribution can make a lasting impact in the lives of countless individuals.

Living with cancer can be challenging, both physically and emotionally, for people with cancer and whānau.

If you would like to talk with someone about what support is available in your community, call our Cancer Information Helpline 0800 CANCER (226237) to speak with one of our health professionals.