The Cancer Society of New Zealand

It’s World Cancer Research Day, so a shout out to all the cancer researchers throughout Aotearoa for the amazing mahi you are doing to help reduce the incidence and impact of cancer in this country.

Pictured is the tīma (team) from Te Tātai Hauora o Hine — National Centre for Women’s Health Research Aotearoa at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington . Their research into self-testing for HPV has been instrumental in informing the ongoing development of the National Cervical Screening Programme. And they are all backing the call to end cervical cancer.

You can join them in this call for more action by signing our open letter at https://endcervicalcancer.org.nz/

It’s Mental Health Awareness Week! This , the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand is exploring how community contributes to our well-being and encouraging us all to reach out and connect with the people around us.

For those of us going through cancer, community is a vital pillar for our mental health. This week, take some time to apply these strategies to create communities around you:

💛 Take Notice – Me Aro Tonu
💛 Give – Tukua
💛 Be Active – Me Kori Tonu
💛 Connect – Me Whakawhanaunga
💛 Keep Learning – Me Ako Tonu

And remember, you can also contact our Cancer Information Helpline to speak with a cancer nurse about questions you have, what Cancer Society services may be available to you, or just for a listening ear. Reach us as 0800 CANCER, that’s 0800 226 237.

Thank you to all those who have signed our End Cervical Cancer campaign. The numbers backing this call for more action are growing and we appreciate all your messages telling us why you support this. Keep those signatures and powerful “why” statements coming! And spread the word. We can do this!

endcervicalcancer.org.nz

Te Kupu o Te Rā | Word of the Day:
Tautoko | Support

We are here to help and tautoko you and your whānau through cancer diagnosis, treatment and recovery. 🫶🏾 What support do we offer? We offer one-on-one support, facilitate support groups, provide transport to treatment and accommodation for those needing a home away from home while they undergo treatment. 📱We have an 0800 Cancer Information Helpline (0800 226 237), a free online help roster called Support Crew and much more. To find out about our range of support services head to https://www.cancer.org.nz/how-we-can-help/support-we-offer/ or contact your local Cancer Society branch. 💛

Te Kupu o Te Rā | Word of the Day:
Tūao | Volunteer

Our tūao come from all walks of life and volunteer for different reasons, but what unites them is their passion and commitment to helping the Cancer Society reduce the impact and incidence of cancer in Aotearoa New Zealand. 💛 We wouldn’t be able to support, inform and empower those affected by cancer without our tūao.

Have you got time, skills, experience and enthusiasm to share? 💛 We would love you to join our Cancer Society Volunteer Team. Find out more about how you can get involved at www.cancer.org.nz/get-involved/volunteer/

This Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, we’re sharing some kupu Māori (Māori words) relating to our mahi (work) here at Te Kāhui Matepukupuku o Aoteaora / Cancer Society of New Zealand.

Te Kupu o Te Rā | Word of the Day:
Rangahau | Research

🔬🧬Over the past 10 years, the Cancer Society of New Zealand has invested more than $50 million in rangahau that has improved cancer prevention, detection, and treatment of different types of cancer, and aimed to help New Zealanders live longer following a diagnosis. 👩🏽‍🔬👨🏼‍⚕️Chances are, you know someone who has directly benefitted from this rangahau. Want to find out more about our research? See the link in the comments.

Cancer Society of New Zealand Chief Executive Nicola Coom caught up with Duncan Garner: Editor in Chief on his podcast this morning to chat about her optimism for the future of cancer care in New Zealand.

New Cancer Drugs Released, But Is It Enough? Nicola Coom knows about cancer only too well - not only is she the Cancer Society’s new CEO but she knows how cancer impacts families. She has lost family m...

🍰 Hari Huritau, HPV self-test for cervical screening! 🎁 You’re one year old today, 12 September! People with a cervix are celebrating your arrival in Aotearoa with 80% of you opting for the self-test in the last year. It’s a better, less invasive and more sensitive screening test. It’s also one of three key strategies to end cervical cancer. Yes – you read that right – we can end cervical cancer here in Aotearoa with HPV vaccination, cervical screening and treatment of cell changes. Now that is a real gamechanger! 🙌 Imagine a world with one less cancer! That’s what we call a truly good news story!

Get in behind our campaign to end cervical cancer - sign our open letter to Minister Reti now at https://endcervicalcancer.org.nz/

Nurse practitioner & colposcopist Julia Glentworth says she’d love to be out “out of work due to lack of HPV related cervical cancer”. That is why she has signed our open letter supporting our call for Government action to end cervical cancer in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Elimination of cervical cancer in our lifetime is genuinely within reach.

We are calling for the Government to:

➡ Extend free cervical screening to all who are eligible
➡ Fully fund an equitable Cervical Cancer Elimination Strategy
➡ Urgently increase access to HPV vaccination among school children to reach 90% uptake

Please sign the open letter (link in comments) and help spread the word by sharing this post far and wide.

Listen up men. Elimination of cervical cancer in our lifetime is genuinely within reach. This is more than a women’s issue. Our campaign is something for our tāne, our men to get behind too.

Sign our open letter for the wahine, the women, in your life – your girlfriends, wives, mothers, daughters, sisters, aunties, friends and workmates.

We are calling on the Government to:
➡️ Extend free cervical screening to all who are eligible
➡️ Fully fund an equitable Cervical Cancer Elimination Strategy
➡️ Urgently increase access to HPV vaccination among school children to reach 90% uptake

Mike signed in memory of his wife.

Please sign the open letter today and encourage your friends and family to do the same. Link in comments.

Yvette tragically lost her mum to cancer in 2020, and through processing her grief has learned to count her blessings and appreciate every day. Her mum had received counselling from the Cancer Society to help with her mental health, and Yvette continues to receive counselling herself when she needs it.

Our Cancer Information Helpline is available to anyone with questions about navigating cancer or looking for a listening ear. You can contact us at 0800 226 237.

You can find Yvette’s story as well as cancer information and our support options at https://www.cancer.org.nz/how-we-can-help/cancer-stories/yvette

It is with great respect that the Cancer Society of New Zealand / Te Kāhui Matepukupku o Aotearoa acknowledges the passing of the Māori King, Kiingi Tūheitia Pōtatau Te Wherowhero VII.

We extend our sincerest condolences to whānau, Te Kiingitanga movement and Māoridom. We acknowledge Kiingi Tūheitia's significant contribution, specifically his dedication to improving the health and wellbeing of Māori. His powerful calls for Kotahitanga and unity, most recently at his Koroneihana, will be a lasting reminder of his legacy. Our thoughts and aroha are with all who are grieving.

Moe mai rā i te rangimārie.

📸 nzherald.co.nz

“I was diagnosed with Stage 1B cervical cancer in 1996 at the age of 28. I am very grateful to be a survivor. However, the ordeal I went through is something I would not wish upon anyone. I underwent surgery and radiation, and now live with lymphoedema. I am excited to see that today, we have the means to eliminate cervical cancer and save countless lives. It is imperative that we take action now to ensure that no one else has to endure what I did. We have the tools and knowledge to eradicate this disease. Let’s use them to protect future generations.” — Barb (pictured)

The Cancer Society of New Zealand is calling on the Government to:
➡️ Extend free cervical screening to all who are eligible
➡️ Fully fund an equitable Cervical Cancer Elimination Strategy
➡️ Urgently increase access to HPV vaccination among school children to reach 90% uptake

Please sign the open letter (link in comments) and help spread the word by sharing this post far and wide.

Up and down the motu people have been getting behind Daffodil Day, including the cast and crew of Shortland Street Thanks for your support team. It's been great fun spotting the daffodils decorating our favourite Shorty characters and set!

If you haven't donated and are keen to contribute to our work supporting Kiwis with cancer, please note that we will have volunteer collectors out in some towns and cities around the country again on August 31st and you can still donate online at www.daffodilday.org.nz.

Photo credit: South Pacific Pictures

“My Dad was diagnosed with leukaemia and there weren’t many options. He started a trial drug and that gave dad another two years, but it was a rollercoaster like anything.

It was a real struggle watching him go through it because you had to hide your emotions a lot of the time in front of him, to try and make sure he stayed strong. He was always so brave and so kind to everyone in hospital. He had a real gratitude in him even though he was going through so much.

The Cancer Society actually gave Dad rides to the hospital and then I would pick him up at the end of his treatment.

I was so grateful for that service because I was working and trying to juggle everything, and make sure he got to his appointments because at the end he couldn’t drive himself any longer.

Now that I work at the Cancer Society, it’s a great honour to support the volunteers because they supported my dad.” - Sudha

1 in 3 New Zealanders will get cancer in their lifetime. That could be someone you love.

Help them by donating today, Daffodil Day, at one of our street collection sites or at daffodilday.org.nz

Not carrying cash? No worries! Our awesome street team has got you covered with quick and easy QR codes so you can support our cause right from your phone. And that's not all, some of our volunteers even have the latest Eftpos New Zealand machines, making giving easier than ever. Big thanks to for its support. Let's make a difference this Daffodil Day 2024.

We are so stoked to have the teams confirmed for this afternoon’s Coast Invitational vs X Ferns game! You’ll be able to watch along via our live stream here from 4pm and we’ll be sharing more throughout the afternoon.

You can still donate ahead of Daffodil Day tomorrow, just text SUPPORT to 206 to make an instant $3 donation to The Cancer Society of New Zealand🌼

“My middle child was diagnosed at 3 and a half years old with leukaemia.

It was the worst day of our lives actually when the doctor came down and broke the news to us. Our whole life just turned upside down.

The difficult part for us was being separated – not knowing what tomorrow was going to be like. Just being torn apart as a family.

The Cancer Society were brilliant to us during that time. The manager saw me one day and she said your husband and you look really worn out, why don’t you have a night here? So, they gave us free accommodation for the night which I really appreciated, and the support started from there.

Then I started working at the Cancer Society on the weekends for a bit of extra money which was actually really good too, so they gave me a job here. We used to call it Jesse’s money.

I’ve been here 29 years, and I’ve stayed because I love my team, and we all have a journey.” - Michelle

1 in 3 New Zealanders will get cancer in their lifetime. That could be someone you love.

Help them by donating this Daffodil Day at daffodilday.org.nz

“I’m a psychologist here at the Cancer Society.

Not everyone needs support, but a lot of people do.

Especially when you have that interaction between cancer and mental health - it just comes together and can make a bit of a mess.

So, I’m creating a safe space – that’s one of the number one thing I hear with feedback, is that it’s a place someone can come and be vulnerable, scared, angry, or confused.

They can be their full selves without any judgement.” - Elise.

1 in 3 New Zealanders will get cancer in their lifetime. That could be someone you love.

Help them by donating this Daffodil Day at daffodilday.org.nz

“My mum Shirly was our beacon of hope. She was full of life and energy and love. She taught us the value of hard work - she came from humble beginnings, and she showed us that nothing is impossible.

The cancer was really aggressive. It showed mum no mercy, and within three months from diagnosis it took her life.

After seeing the care that the Cancer Society gave to my mother, my family and I will always be grateful for that, and I’m here in a CEO position to do the best that I can to make sure no one faces cancer alone.

It’s really important that people mobilise and get behind us so we can keep providing our huge range of free support services to people with cancer, as well as support our cancer research to try and make sure we find the cure for cancer if possible or stop cancers happening at all.” - Andrew

1 in 3 New Zealanders will get cancer in their lifetime. That could be someone you love.

Help them by donating this Daffodil Day at daffodilday.org.nz

“My stepmum Barbara Lynne Marshell was a bit of a force to be reckoned with. She always lived life to the fullest. She rode horses. She loved cooking, she loved red wine, and she loved life. She was one of those people who was just naturally gifted at everything she did.

I was in my last year of high school when the cancer journey started for her. It caught us all completely off guard.

I’d committed to a track with the Royal Airforce, but I was headed home almost monthly to try get that last bit of quality time I could.

The hardest part was having to watch it from a distance and hear from my dad how she was fading and that hurt a lot.

I started volunteer driving because I believe in giving what we can when we can. It is a big thing that fills my cup, and it leaves me very satisfied at the end of the day knowing that I’ve done something to someone that is going to have a net positive benefit.” - Darcy

1 in 3 New Zealanders will get cancer in their lifetime. That could be someone you love.

Help them by donating this Daffodil Day at daffodilday.org.nz

“I’m one of the nurses at the Cancer Society and I’ve been working here for 8 years now.

Just before Covid hit, so a scary time for everyone anyway, my mum was diagnosed with melanoma. She had a big tumour on her leg.

Mum did have immunotherapy for a while, which worked really well for her. But unbeknownst to all of us, she had bowel cancer as well. So, she only had a treatment for a couple of months and then she had an emergency, unexpected passing in hospital.

Hopefully I channel a lot of her strength in my role. She was really strong even though she was really scared of treatment and chemotherapy like a lot of people are, so hopefully I channel that strength, but I also take that compassion and understanding, that firsthand understanding, as awful as it is, it can make me a better kinder person.” - Rachel

1 in 3 New Zealanders will get cancer in their lifetime. That could be someone you love.

Help them by donating this Daffodil Day at daffodilday.org.nz

“This is a momentous day for New Zealand. We warmly welcome this initiative on behalf of cancer patients who have been waiting, in some cases for years, to access cutting-edge cancer drugs here in Aotearoa New Zealand. The $604 million uplift for medicines over the next four years will significantly enhance the availability of life-saving treatments, providing new hope to many.”

- Cancer Society of New Zealand Chief Executive Rachael Hart on today’s Government announcement

🫶🏽 Thank you to our partners in the cancer and wider health sector, and all those in the community who have joined their voices to our call for increased access to modern treatments.

Pictured: Cancer Society Medical Co-director Dr Kate Gregory and CSNZ Chief Executive Rachael Hart at the New Zealand Medicines Access Summit at Parliament in April.

See links in our comments to today’s announcement and our media statement in response.