We are proud to introduce Andrea Balona, your 2024 Relay For Life Queenstown ambassador.

When Andrea isn't caring for rescue kittens at QT Community CATs, she spends her time "laughing with my girls or dancing, baking and playing card games with them," and for the next four weeks, there's a good chance you'll also see her around town spreading the word about the upcoming Relay For Life Queenstown, a fundraising cause she has a deep personal connection with.

In December 2018 Andrea received her cancer diagnosis which set her on a path of grueling treatment regimes including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and hormone suppressants.

Throughout her journey Andrea maintained a positive outlook, leveraging her unwavering sense of humour to find an inner strength that eventually helped her overcome her aggressive cancer.

The Cancer Society played a pivotal role in Andrea's journey, providing multiple levels of ongoing support that helped transform a daunting experience into a manageable one.

Andrea told us, "Thank you for inviting me to be an ambassador this year. It's a great honour to be able to support such an important and caring organisation. Your calm caring guidance through the treatments made it all so much easier.

"Most important to me was that you were also there for my family as I quickly learnt that cancer does not only affect the patient but also the people around them. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being there for us all.

"I hope that this Relay For Life sets a new record in fundraising to ensure your wonderful work can continue to save and change lives."

Now, determined to give back to those who helped her through a tough time, Andrea invites you to join her in championing a great cause by signing up for the Queenstown Relay For Life.

Join Andrea and others with a connection to cancer, or who simply want to make a difference in the lives of those on a cancer journey, to raise much-needed funds for the Cancer Society by being part of a wonderful day of fun and action.

Andrea is looking forward to seeing you at Lake Hayes Pavilion on Saturday the 16th of March.

Relay For Life provides a chance for the whole community to stand together to celebrate, remember and fight back against cancer.

Get involved

Relay For Life Queenstown

Relay For Life starts with an Opening Ceremony and Celebration Lap at 10am, led by people who currently have or previously had cancer 💜 and people who have supported or are currently supporting someone on their cancer journey 💚 

Ceremony attendance is free, with no obligation to register for the Relay. You and your whānau are welcome to stay for as long or little of the event as you like.

Relay For Life Southland and Dunedin

Relay For Life is an inspiring community experience that gives everyone a chance to celebrate those  who are on a cancer journey, remember loved ones lost to cancer, and fight back by raising funds.

Each of our 2024 Relays will be held from 10am to 10pm on a Saturday:

Jump For Cancer 2024

Jump is back for another thrilling round of fundraising for your local Cancer Society centre.

Sign up, raise at least $1000, and jump for free at any participating location across New Zealand!

The Volunteering team went on a date!

The Central Otago Community team had a Valentine's Day with a twist recently, getting involved in Volunteer South's volunteer speed dating event with the aim of 'finding your perfect match.'

Community organisations from around the region came together and had three minutes to chat to and woo prospective volunteers.

It was a great chance to meet members of the community who are looking to help with our cause as well as making connections with other organisations.

Kelly is Here For You

In our new Here For You series, we're showcasing the people who make the Cancer Society a rich and diverse organisation with a shared purpose – to reduce the incidence and impact of cancer in our communities. From our dedicated volunteers to our compassionate staff, motivated fundraisers to generous donors – we are all here for you.

This month, we're introducing you to a recent addition to the Cancer Society whānau. Kelly Hoskin lives in Alexandra in beautiful Central Otago with her husband Michael and their children Ivy (3) and Leo (1) and she has been with us for just over one month.

What is your role at the Cancer Society and what does a day look like for you?

My role is Volunteer Partner, which is a new role that looks at the systems and processes for volunteers across the whole Southern area and how we can give the volunteers a great experience and one that ensures their mahi has the greatest impact.

What initially inspired you to pursue a career at the Society? What is your 'why'?

He tangata he tangata he tangata – I want my work to have purpose and what better purpose than being part of an organisation that helps people in one of the hardest times in their lives.

If you could swap jobs with anyone in the office for a day, who would it be and why?

I would like to swap with one of the Cancer Navigators to visit clients for a day so I could get a better understanding of what the clients need and the path they are walking.

NEW Southern Support Groups

PAK'nSAVE is onboard!

Exciting news! We're thrilled to welcome PAK'nSAVE Papanui as a valued partner to the Canterbury Cancer Centre! Their incredible generosity in sponsoring a room and providing support has been instrumental in getting the new centre up and running.

A heartfelt thank you to owners Bryan Walker and Lucy Boock. We're so grateful for their commitment to making a difference, and we're excited to see them embark on their own new build set to open in March 2024.

This week it was wonderful to have the opportunity to show Lucy their room to see first-hand the impact their support will have on our guests, patients, and their whānau. The warm welcome from the PAK'nSAVE Papanui team and community to our staff and those we support has made our partnership a true joy.

If you're interested in joining us in making a difference and sponsoring a room, please reach out to janice@cancercwc.org.nz

Bulbs of Hope

Our volunteers, staff, and some of the wonderful guests staying at the Canterbury Cancer Centre enjoyed a fantastic day packing thousands of Hadstock Farm daffodil bulbs for our Bulbs of Hope Campaign - all contributing to this 'bloomin' fundraiser 😉 

To purchase your pack of quality daffodil bulbs, go to shop-cansoc.org.nz. Pick-up only from Dunedin.

10 x Mixed Daffodil Bulbs $11

100 x Mixed Daffodil Bulbs $100

 Thank you for your support 💛

Our partner and previous Cancer Society client Brigetta is thrilled to announce a special promotion that embodies the spirit of giving, compassion, and empowerment: our Double the Care, Triple the Glow promo: 

At allowyourself.co.nz, we believe in the transformative power of self-care and the profound impact of supporting others. Here's how to works: When you purchase 2 Antipodes products from us, you'll have the opportunity to donate your discount to support cancer patients and survivors. In return for your generosity, we'll triple the glow by gifting you a FREE Harmony Day Cream! 

Together, let's embrace beauty with purpose and make a meaningful impact!

With love and gratitude,

Brigetta Anselmi, Founder of allowyourself

Share your story

If you have been supported by our services or accommodation, participated in an event, or been part of our volunteer crew and you're keen to share your story, we'd love to hear from you.

Get in touch today:

Leave a gift in your will

What legacy will you leave? There are many ways to leave your mark on the world. Everything you do, such as your connections with your family/whānau and friends, your work, sporting or community activities, all contribute to memories of you.

Another way is to leave a planned gift to the Cancer Society in your will. By doing so, your kindness will live on, improving lives long after you have gone. When you support us, you become a partner in helping to reduce the incidence and impact of cancer affecting our families and our communities.

Get support today.

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

We provide a range of free cancer support services to help you and your family cope with your cancer diagnosis and manage during your treatment and beyond.

You don't need to be referred by your GP or oncologist to contact us. Give us a call on 0800 226 237. We are here for anyone with cancer, at any stage and are available to answer any question.

You can also submit the form below for yourself or someone you care about who is affected by a cancer diagnosis: