Our Mission Improving community wellbeing by reducing the incidence and impact of cancer.

CanNews 13www.cancersoc.org.nz

2nd Quarter

What’s on in your region?

Please contact your local Cancer Society office for more details: Wellington - virginia.lee@cancersoc.org.nz Ph: 04 389 8421

Wairarapa - wairarapa@cancersoc.org.nz Ph: 06 378 8039

Nelson - info@cancernelson.org.nz Ph: 03 539 3662

Kapiti - judyd@cancersoc.org.nz Ph: 04 298 8514

Supporters Newsletter for the Wellington Division Marlborough • Nelson • Wairarapa • Greater Wellington

• WELLINGTON

CanX (Cancer support for young people) 2nd Wednesday of each month, 5.30pm - 7.30pm

Spirited Women 1st Wednesday of each month

Upper Hutt Support Group 2nd Wednesday of each month, 7pm – 9pm

Hutt Valley Breast Friends 1st Tuesday of each month, 7pm - 9pm

Prostate Cancer (PALS) 4th Tuesday of each month, 7.30pm - 9pm Contact: Paul 021 029 88258

Porirua Cancer Support Group 1st Friday of each month, 10am - 12noon Contact: Natalie 04 238 4914

• KAPITISpirited Women’s shared lunch meetings3rd Wednesday of each month, 12.30pm - 2pm

• NELSON

Relaxation & Meditation Tuesdays, 10.30am, Fairfield House

Swimming Group Fridays, 12.30pm, Ngawhatu Pool

Living Well begins 2nd July

• WAIRARAPA Women’s Support Group 3rd Wednesday of each month, 11am - 1pm BYO lunch

Men’s Support Group Every 4th Wednesday, 12.30pm - 2.30pm

• MARLBOROUGHProstate Cancer network eveningsBreast Cancer network meetings

Relay For Life 2013

Kapiti provided a sharing space for its local community Wellington’s Relay once again ran to capacity

The Cancer Society is thrilled to announce another successful Relay For Life season. Over 5000 participants registered for Relay and a staggering $705,000 was raised across the Division.

The season started with Relay in Wairarapa followed by Blenheim. Local communities and businesses came together to celebrate cancer survivorship, to remember loved ones lost to cancer and to fightback against this disease that affects one in three New Zealanders.

This year we had our first Kapiti Relay which was well supported by the local Kapiti community. The weather was sublime, the venue was perfect and the result bodes well for future growth in years to come.

And finally, the Wellington Relay rounded off the season. With registrations full to capacity the waterfront once again became a marquee city and temporary home to over 2500 registered participants.

All four Relays showed us the overwhelming commitment and passion our local communities have for Relay For Life.

We thank our team captains, team members, sponsors, organising committees, volunteers and supporters for helping to make our Relays the success they were in 2013. Thank you for coming on the Relay journey with us and for sharing in our vision of a cancer-free future.

All funds raised stay in each local community and will be used to provide free practical support and information for cancer patients and their families, health promotion for cancer prevention and early detection, and funding for cancer research.

“I really want to thank all the people who are giving a lot of themselves for the achievement of events like this. It has reminded me that there is life and so many wonderful people working for it.” Sandy, English Language Partners team, Relay For Life Kapiti.

Striking costumes were just one of the highlights of Wairarapa’s Relay

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Bequests - a powerful gift with enduring impact

The Wellington Division is very grateful to have received a bequest from the estate of Mrs Rosalia Pelagatti.

The generosity of people like Mrs Pelagatti can have a positive and direct effect on those patients and their families dealing with cancer diagnosis and treatment by assisting practically and emotionally.

Bequests help fund cancer research for detecting and treating cancer more effectively. They also help the Cancer Society support families who are affected by cancer. And through education, help reduce the risk of developing some cancers and other chronic diseases.

A bequest also allows you to honour a loved one, while providing critical support to the charity. Giving by bequest costs nothing now, yet it may give you a great deal of satisfaction to know that your future gift will live on.

Through your will, you can name The Cancer Society Wellington Division as the beneficiary of a portion of your estate, or of particular assets in your estate.

The Cancer Society relies solely on the goodwill of the community to fund the many free services that it provides.

Please help us to continue to provide vital services now and in the future.

Contact Judith Langridge | Bequest Programme Coordinator judithl@cancersoc.org.nz Ph 04 389 8421 or 0274 731220.

Fundraising in all its guises

The Entertainment Book can be purchased from the Cancer Society office in Newtown, Wellington. For $60 you’ll receive over $15,000 worth of treats

at good discounts. A portion of the purchase price goes to the Cancer Society. Please contact Janet at reception for a copy.

If you are from the Wairarapa area and would like to create your own

fundraising event or activity, or would like to make a bequest or donation, please contact the new Centre Manager, Jeanine Gribbin on JeanineG@cancersoc.org.nz.

Nelson Centre volunteers are wearing new polo shirts thanks to the kind sponsorshp of Peter and Jackie Rees from Te Ara Mahi Employment & Training Support. Sponsorship-in-kind can just as valuable to us as cash donations.

Here’s how some Relay For Life teams fundraised this year: a dog wash, second-hand clothing sale, shave-a-beard fundraiser, quiz nights, Newtown’s Biggest Garage Sale (as part of the Newtown Festival), car washes and more.

To donate online go to www.cancernz.org.nz/donate-online or internet bank to account 06 0577 0064826 02. (Please include your name, ID [if you have one] and ‘donation’ as a reference). All fundraising enquiries to Drew Hadwen drewh@cancersoc.org.nz

C - A Musical - Circa Theatre’s Gala Fundraiser supports the Cancer SocietyWritten and directed by Paul Jenden, C – A Musical, presents a Gala Fundraiser on Thursday 11 July. Tickets are $60 ($30 goes to the Cancer Society). Ticket price includes drinks and nibbles.

The show stars well known performer Jackie Clarke with music by Gareth Farr.

C – A Musical SEASON 6 July − 3 August Cancer Society GALA NIGHT 7pm, Thursday 11 July Book at Circa Theatre 04 801 7992 www.circa.co.nz

‘I can hear you thinking, “This is going to be so-o-o-o depressing,” and I say, “no, it’ll be fun,” and you go, “oh God, it’s going to be really tasteless,” and I say, “look, cancer sucks. If you’ve got it, had it or lost someone to it, the last thing you need is someone poking you with a stick. This isn’t like that. This is a travelogue, a picaresque novel, the record of a journey into my head, a kind of Dante’s Inferno but with song and dance!”’ – C – A Musical writer/director Paul Jenden.

Volunteers host NZ House & Garden TourVolunteers and some of Wellington’s best kept home and garden secrets helped to fundraise for the Cancer Society and Look Good Feel Better programmes in March this year.

The NZ House & Garden Tours created not only funds for the Cancer Society, but also a rich and pleasurable day for Society volunteers.

Volunteers acted as hosts and caretakers of some stunning properties. Maureen Hinde was stationed in a “lovely family home” in Kelburn. For her, the day was an absolute pleasure.

“It was such a privilege to be able to go into people’s homes,” says Maureen. “The home owners are marvellous for giving us the opportunity to do that.”

Maureen has been involved with the Cancer Society as a volunteer for over 30 years. She recently finished as a volunteer driver for the Waikanae team and now continues her involvement with the Cancer Society Waikanae Auxiliary, where she once served as President.

“The Cancer Society does so much good for so many people. We’re all aware of cancer in this world we live in. If I can help in some way, I certainly do.”

Maureen Hinde, Vera Greiner, Geraldine Lyndhurst, Dorothy Devane, Richard Devane, Dawn Wade – six of the 86 Cancer Society volunteers who helped create another successful NZ House & Garden Tour this year across the Wellington region.

The Cancer Society receives no direct government funding for its free support and service.

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Investing in young scientific minds for a cancer-free futureThrough the Wellington Division’s Medical & Scientific Committee, some health practitioners are supported to study overseas to gain inspiration and knowledge.

John Gibbins is in his final year of his PhD studies at the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research and has been applying his problem-solving skills to a promising new area of cancer treatment called adoptive cell therapy (ACT).

Thanks to a grant from the Medical & Scientific Committee, in December 2012 John presented his research findings at an international conference entitled “Tumor Immunology: Multidisciplinary Science Driving Basic and Clinical Advances” in Miami, Florida. John says he is very grateful to the Cancer Society for helping to make this trip possible because it gave him the opportunity to speak with many of the world’s leading scientists within this field of research.

“I learnt a great deal about the advances being made and problems encountered in current cancer immunotherapy. Through this experience I have been able to develop networks for future research opportunities and collaborations, and came back home with lots of new ideas for my own research.”

Since his return to Wellington John has been busy in the lab putting some of these ideas into practice and has started writing up his thesis. As for the future, John says he is keen to pursue a career in adoptive cell therapy and to expand on his current knowledge of this rapidly evolving

area of cancer research.

Thanks to the Malaghan Institute for this story. For more information about cancer immunotherapy, please visit the Malaghan Institute website on www.malaghan.org.nz.

Young and talented immunologist John Gibbins says it is his love of “a good challenge” that first drew him into science.

I’ve just finished chemotherapy…

The Cancer Society’s 0800 Cancer Information line helped 633 people in three months, and that’s just in the Wellington Division. Here’s one of the many questions asked and answered via this free service.

Q I’ve just finished chemotherapy and radiation treatment for breast cancer. It’s been such a long treatment over several months and I think I should feel excited and relieved that it’s over, but instead I feel exhausted and frightened of what’s ahead, and very alone. My husband is feeling confused and unsure of how to support me.

A It’s not unusual to feel like this when treatment finishes. People often talk about feeling lost and scared without the regular attention and support from their doctors and nurses. There is a lot to contend with and a lot of adjustment getting back to your usual life again. In fact life may be quite different from what it was before treatment. While you may no longer be feeling unwell you might not be feeling that great either. Fatigue (extreme tiredness) is common after treatment and often lasts for several months. Here at the Cancer Society Wellington the nurses have an after treatment clinic, CanNow. You can book a time to discuss your concerns and get some tips for regaining direction and energy. You may also find our gentle exercise programme Healthy Steps helps with overcoming fatigue. We can refer you to one of our counsellors who can help you with some strategies for coping with emotional challenges. This may be helpful for your husband too.

Cancer Update – vital up-skilling for medical & health professionals

Once again Cancer Society Wellington leads the way in updating medical and health professionals with the annual Cancer Update week. This year’s 17-22 June presentations will focus on lung cancer. Key guest speaker Professor David Ball (radiation oncologist and deputy director of Radiation Oncology and Cancer Imaging at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne) will lead workshops for clinicians, a professional education seminar and a public lecture (Shining A Light on Lung

Cancer: Nelson, June 18; Masterton and Wellington, June 20).

Cancer Update Week has been held in Wellington for the past twelve years and covers the latest evidence and current and developing treatments for health providers and the general public. Registration enquiries to RitaK@cancersoc.org.nz

Lung cancer – key facts

• 5th most common cancer diagnosed in NZ in 2009 (2,008 new cases)

• Most common cause of death from cancer in 2009 (1,693 deaths due to lung cancer)

• Rates of lung cancer in Maori women are among the highest in the world and numbers are increasing

• Most lung cancer is linked to smoking but a small number occur in people who have never smoked

• Some lung cancers cause no symptoms and may be diagnosed on a routine chest X-ray.

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FREE SUPPORT & INFORMATION 0800 CANCER (226 237) Library

Counselling Workshops & programmes

Networking groups Transport to treatment

Car parking Massage (small charge)

Kia ora and greetings - have you ever thought about leaving a bequest to the Cancer Society in your will? A bequest is a great way to make a lasting gift to support our work. We rely on bequest income to fund our programmes and services – please consider updating your will.

During February and March I participated in four Relay for

Life events around the Division; Kapiti, Marlborough, Wairarapa and Wellington. We celebrated with those that have overcome cancer, we remembered loved ones that have died from cancer and we participated in Relay as a sign of fighting back against cancer. Thank you to all who made them such a success - to all our volunteers, our sponsors, team captains and team members – well done! You are an inspiration to me and many

others. Donations received from each Relay for Life Event is so important; it enables us to continue our free 0800 Cancer Information Helpline, our free patient transport service, to provide cancer information booklets, to run cancer support groups, to provide health education on ways to reduce your cancer risk, to advocate on health issues such as tobacco control and much more. Thank you.

Nationally the Cancer Society is always looking at ways to do things better. Together with the other Divisions, we are working on a number of projects including a National Men’s Health Strategy (led by Wellington Division) and the redevelopment of our online fundraising and information tools. We are aiming to be more efficient and effective in reducing the incidence and impact of cancer on people in New Zealand.

Looking ahead, planning is well under way for Men’s Health week in June and our Daffodil Day campaign in Spring.

Thank you very much for your on-going support.

Michael Smith Chief Executive Officer

From the Chief Executive’s Desk

Welcome to new staffTwo new staff recently joined the Wairarapa Centre, building on the wonderful work carried out by Anna Cardno and Jacinta Buchanan. Together they will reach out to all sectors of the local community to help raise awareness of the Cancer Society, connect with those affected by cancer, and raise more funds to sustain the free support services of the Centre.

Louise Cartmell, Support & Information Coordinator, Wairarapa Centre

“People who work with cancer are a special kind of people. You have to have a caring nature. “

Louise is an experienced registered nurse and has worked as an oncology nurse for the past four years at Wairarapa Hospital. Her interest in oncology was fueled after working at a cancer research hospital in the UK.

When she returned to the Wairarapa, she sought work in the oncology field.

“Oncology is a fast growing area of medicine and the prognoses’ get better all the time. That’s really interesting and inspiring.”

www.cancerchatnz.org.nz

PH: 0800 CANCER (227 237)

Jeanine Gribbin, Centre Manager, Wairarapa Centre

“We can actually help people – that is very humbling and rewarding.”

Jeanine previously worked as an events and projects coordinator for the Carterton Events Centre. She has extensive experience in the not-for-profit sector including senior management

and fundraising roles with the Macular Degeneration New Zealand Trust, SPCA Auckland and the NZ Breast Cancer Foundation.

Jeanine and family moved from Auckland to Carterton in October 2012 - the Wairarapa fits perfectly with her love of sustainable living and community.

“I fill every waking moment with friends, family and this beautiful place.”

News BriefsFree public lectures as part of Cancer Update 2013 - Shining a Light on Lung Cancer: Nelson, June 18; Masterton and Wellington, June 20. More info at www.cancerchatnz.org.nz/nurseblog.

Government announces introduction of plain packaging for tobacco products. The Cancer Society is over the moon at this decision and wishes to thank all those who lobbied for this cause. Also, 29 April saw Victoria University of Wellington become SmokeFree. Small steps lead to great strides.

Wellington Division are leading the way with a new men’s health strategy, to be revealed soon. They’re also hosting some great activities as part of International Men’s Health Week June 10-16 including a golf tournament at Shandon Golf Club in Lower Hutt. Find out more at www.getthetools.org.nz

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