One in eight New Zealand men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, so it’s no wonder men like Pete reach out to the Cancer Society for support.  

When Pete was diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer, he held back his diagnosis from people in fear of burdening them. Pete was left to grapple with his new reality alone... until he was connected with the Cancer Society.  

Pete’s story—which you can read here—shows the important role wrap-around support plays in someone’s cancer journey.

"I came out feeling valued, respected, cared for, and that I was a person and a man, not just a statistic.” 

With your help, we can be there for men like Pete, allowing them to truly open up and unpack the fear, anxieties and trauma that cancer can cause. 

This Christmas, will you make a donation to help someone get the support they need? 

Offices are closing Mon 26 Dec, reopening Mon 9 Jan

Daffodil House accommodation will remain open

Driving services will continue for those without carers / whānau over the holidays

Dunedin Coffee Support Group, last Tuesday of the month 1–2pm

Summer Walking Group, every Friday morning,  last day 16 Dec, restarting on 13 Jan

Christmas Cookie Decorating, Weds 7 Dec

Contact: Jo.Arthur@cansoc.org.nz or 021 985 733

Gore Support Group Last Weds of the month 10am–12pm

Contact : Aynsley Dermody aynsley.dermody@cansoc.org.nz or 027 218 4008

Creative Support Group Weds 10am– 12pm

General Support Group second Tues of the month 10am–12pm

Contact: Cindy Quertier Cindy.Quertier@cansoc.org.nz or 027 305 2133

Queenstown Coffee Group, first Monday of every month 10–11am 

Contact: Janeen Holmes Janeen.Holmes@cansoc.org.nz or 021 46 57 46

Wanaka Support Group, first Tues of every month 10.30am

Contact: Janeen Holmes Janeen.Holmes@cansoc.org.nz or 021 46 57 46

In Stuff's candid Jo vs Cancer podcast, Cromwell mother-of-two and Cancer Society client Jo McKenzie-Mclean offers practical, frank—and sometimes darkly funny—insights into life with stage 4 bowel cancer diagnosis, in conversation with friend and Stuff colleague Colleen O’Hanlon.

For a deep dive, follow along as reporter Nadine Roberts explores why Jo has gone public with her diagnosis in this Stuff article.

Listen to the podcast by clicking below, or find it on Apple, Spotify, Google or Amazon

What our residents are saying:

“Thank you all so much for doing what you do, so nice to have somewhere to stay and be made to feel at home.  You have made what is a tough time in my life that little bit better" – Jenny, Invercargill

“Thank you so much for your kindness shown to us during our stay,  please accept this garden ornament in our appreciation (a lovely metal flamingo)" – Faye, Billie and Rach

I get many clients on the phone say how invaluable the driving service is and how wonderful, kind and friendly all of our drivers are. Feedback received:

“So appreciative of your support, didn’t know how I was going to get to treatment. You’ve gone above and beyond” – Tom Queenstown

“What a wonderful supportive service. The volunteers are wonderful, kind and friendly – so appreciate the assistance received”

Everyone in the Queenstown area seems to be in a Spring cleaning mode, as we have been receiving an amazing amount of stylish donations. Recently, we were kindly donated designer bags, to include a Louis Vuitton bag, which will help fund Cancer Society services across the district.

Thank you to the CanShop Queenstown volunteers who continue to make it the best little op shop in NZ!

The team with Tori

Livy, Reihanah, Ashely and Addi almost ready to welcome their guests

Another awesome contribution from students from Longford Intermediate School!

Looking to fulfil the community service component of their William Pike challenge, a group of inspiring young ladies from Longford Intermediate contacted Tori Peeters, Commonwealth Games javelin 5th place-getter who accepted their invitation to speak at a Breakfast in Gore.  The breakfast raised around $4,600 for the Cancer Society.

Over breakfast, Tori spoke about her journey in the sport of javelin, her challenges, her successes and her plans.  With a personal best of 62.4m which she achieved in March, Tori has 70m as her next goal.

I can’t help but wonder what this team of four outstanding young ladies will be setting as their next goal – I’m sure there will be more. 

A big thank you to the wider Longford Team who supported the breakfast by waiting tables – you can be very proud of your contribution.

The Cancer Society couldn’t deliver our support and services to people with cancer without our volunteers. International Volunteer Day will be a time to acknowledge the significant contribution of our volunteers, as part of a global community of helpers.

The best part about volunteerism is that anyone can do it – in countless ways. You can volunteer your knowledge, skills, or professional experience—and change people's lives.

Would you like to help?

We couldn’t run an event like Relay for Life without our amazing volunteers 💜 Joining your local committee today is an awesome opportunity to do good and make a difference to people with cancer. Get in touch today:

North Otago: Karen.Wink@cansoc.org.nz 

Wanaka: Mary.Davidson-Smith@cansoc.org.nz 

Marathon In A Month 1 Nov - 30 Nov

The Longest Day golf challenge 1 Dec - 31 Jan

Relay For Life North Otago Sat 4 Mar

Relay For Life Wanaka Sat 18 - 19 Mar

Relay For Life Otago Students Sat 25 - 26 Mar

Hato Hone St John has partnered with the Cancer Society to fund a Sun Squirt dispenser for Otago and Southland this summer🧴 The touch-free dispenser will provide SPF 50+ sunscreen to eventgoers and help to prevent sun-related harm, which both organisations see too often⚕️ 

While pleased to be able to provide free sunscreen at these events, both organisations also encourage people to plan their SunSmart approach before heading to events. That means remembering to Slip, Slop, Slap and Wrap! 😎

Read more about the partnership here

Marathon In A Month is going strong this November, with 243 registrations and over $27,000 raised to date!

Support The Vollie Partons

Our Volunteering staff are getting involved with Marathon In A Month and are happy to report that they are progressing well with both fundraising and kilometres covered!

See The Vollie Partons progress here

Get wrapped up in the Christmas spirit with the limited edition Cancer Society Christmas wrapping paper designed in Southland by Natalie, one of our amazing supportive care clients.

$5 for one roll or $8 for two 594mm x 841mm (A1 paper size)

Order yours for delivery or click & collect in Invercargill or Dunedin at: shop-cansoc.org.nz

The Cancer Society of Otago and Southland is excited to invite you to take part in The Longest Day golf challenge starting this December. 

Last year during our 2nd annual event, golfers across Otago and Southland raised an impressive $110,00 for cancer care and research, all while enjoying a day on the green with their mates.

Create a team or go solo for your longest day of golf this summer!

🏌🏼 Registrations are open now at longestday.org.nz 

Let's do something remarkable together next March! Recruit your team and sign up today at relayforlife.org.nz, and we'll see you next March: 

4th March

Takaro Park, Oamaru

2pm – 9pm

18 – 19th March

Pembroke Park

3pm – 11am

25 – 26th March

University Clocktower

6pm – 6am

The Naylor Love & Cancer Society 'Hollywood Glamour Ball' was a success on 12th November at Rydges Lakeland Resort Queenstown with over $30,000 raised.

Thank you to everyone who attended the evening, to our event partner Naylor Love, and to Hugo Charitable Trust for their generous donation of $10,000.

A special thanks to Lochie's South to North Adventure Skiing for the Cancer Society, who enthusiastically presented our CE Rachael Hart with a large cheque for the $24,000.

Thank you so much for your ongoing support of cancer care and research in Otago and Southland, Lochie and family! Also a big thank you to all of the supporting businesses and individuals

No one should face cancer alone. Over the last year, our Cancer Supportive Care Team have supported over 1400 people and their families impacted by cancer. We provide our clients with support groups, and workshops and assistance in navigating the health care services pathway.  We also offer practical support to people and their wider family/whanau.

Thank you to The Trusts Community Foundation – Clutha and Mataura Licensing Trust, NZ Lottery, Community Trust South, Bowls Southland, Ballantyne Trust, Callis Charitable Trust, Dunedin Casino Charitable Trust, NZ Aluminium Smelter, ILT Foundation, Dunedin City Council and Waitaki District Council for providing funding over the last month.  We appreciate your support so we can help so many more people impacted by cancer. 

Health Promotion Team are very keen for you to share with your networks the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) HPV toolkit to help us raise awareness of this important cancer prevention campaign.

HPV is a very common group of viruses that can cause 6 types of cancer including head and neck cancers. We know that throat cancer is increasing in our communities. The toolkit is for our whānau particularly for the Year 8 age group and up. This is for all tamariki boys and girls. The vaccine protects against infection with HPV.

Spread the word by using our social media resources.  

Raise awareness through your local school or kura. See key messages in the Toolkit (pages 7-8), social media tiles and newsletter templates.