Celebrating Communities
A great many of our patients choose to have some time away with their families as their special wish. As a result, there are certainly some hot spots on the New Zealand map that are continually visited by our Race4Life families. Rotorua and Queenstown are two of these destinations.
Up until earlier this year, Wati Green was an everyday fun loving 26 year old. A tour guide at Waitomo Caves, Wati lived with her new partner Jaycon and his two children. A diagnosis of terminal colon cancer has turned her world upside down. However this brave young woman, remains determined to do the best with what is.
Wati’s special wish was to spend some time with her family in Rotorua. Our loyal supporters in this fabulous city came to the party again, to take special care of the family. Wati and team travelled to Rotorua at the end of July, where the community gave them some cherished memories. The same team of loyal and supporting businesses in Rotorua have now looked after seven of our families since the Trust began in May 2015.A truly stunning fact and one we are so very grateful for.
The community of Rotorua are totally committed to supporting the work we do. The Millennium Hotel Marketing Manager, Michele Weston explained,
“Our spontaneous response comes from the values that our organisation upholds. With Wati, we realise that it is the least we can do. 26, it is just not fair!”
It is little wonder that Michele’s Hotel General Manager, just won the Tourism Industry Aoteroa, Hotel Manager of the Year award for 2017. Michele’s sentiment seems to be common among all the service providers in Rotorua, and is the thread that unites them all, in supporting the work we do.
Queenstown is another region that we have sent numerous families to, over the last two years. The latest patient to visit this magnificent area of our country was Elaine (31) who took her husband and two children there in late July.
It was only in June this year that Elaine Iketau received the devastating news that would change her life forever. This 31 year old mother of two has Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Cancer and the task of holding onto as much quality of life as possible, to share with her loved ones. Elaine and her gorgeous young family had a wonderful 5 days in Queenstown being treated to the hospitality of an overwhelming number of businesses. Every detail was seen to, including decking out the entire family with warm clothes kindly supplied by The Warehouse. The Warehouse Auckland head office commented:
“It is such a tough time for them and it is humbling to know that there are people from other awesome Queenstown businesses, as well as the Warehouse, who have been so very generous in making this trip a treasured memory for the family. The smiles on their faces while on the Shotover Jet – priceless, so jealous they are heading to Walter Peak on the Earnslaw!! ”
The generosity of spirit and compassion shown to patients and families is nothing less than extraordinary. Elaine and her young family had an absolute blast, making the best of every moment.
The impact a wish has on the wish recipient and the family is beyond words. Service providers in the communities around New Zealand are equally effected by the magic created by a wish. Many service providers have commented that the experience has changed their lives- their involvement and contribution resulting in something extraordinary. A wish connects people and communities at a deep level and makes an overwhelming impact.
There are so many communities in New Zealand who have made a huge difference to the lives of our patients. We celebrate you all and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
A message from the General Manager
Well what a miserable old winter it has been. However within the walls of the Race4Life Trust, there is nothing but sunshine and warmth. These last few months we have been very busy with weddings, Life Celebrations and planning family getaways. We have been honoured to work with a number of young families who are having to face such difficult times, yet amidst it all, shine through with amazing courage. We feel a tremendous privilege to be able to facilitate these special wishes and to witness the kindness of communities all over New Zealand.
In this edition you will enjoy reading some of the beautiful stories presented and will no doubt be amazed by the generosity of spirit of the service providers concerned.
On Sunday 29th of October 70 Race4Life supporters will take to the streets of Auckland to run varying distances of between 5km through to the marathon. Our Auckland Marathon Team are conscientiously striving to get sponsorship for our wonderful Trust. For further information read below.
On October 2nd this year we will again hold the Day to Inspire for our patients. You can read in this edition about our guest speaker blind athlete Rob Matthews. A simply astounding story.
Race4Life are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Event Management students from AUT. This semester we will work with students who will be developing and practising their fundraising skills for the benefit of the Race4Life Trust.
In penning this quarterly Newsletter, it is a perfect opportunity to sit down and reflect. This exercise never fails to astound, and highlights the tremendous compassion and kindness that is prevalent in communities all over New Zealand. The focal points of all the amazing wishes are our patients and their families. Their strength and the courage amidst such suffering and adversity is simply awe inspiring.
Marathon Fundraiser
Team membership of our Race4Life Marathon effort is increasing every day. We have over 70 people interested in running for our fabulous cause. In the first month of fundraising we have already raised nearly $15,000 and with a commitment to the cause, we are hoping to raise as much money as possible so that we can fund the ever increasing demand for wishes across New Zealand.
Kiri’s Story
Being diagnosed with terminal cancer, and going through rough times will never be enough to bring Kiri Reynolds down. That is why Kiri and long-term partner, Grant decided to get married on July 8th. The wedding took place in Rangiora, where Kiri and Grant were joined by their three children, friends and family.
“I’m really excited, but I’m also really overwhelmed.” admitted Kiri at the time. “The amount of people and businesses who have made this possible is so amazing. Just to know there are so many people, working to make this day for us, is so very humbling.”
“I want this to be a fun, fantastic, enjoyable day for all concerned.” Kiri exclaimed. “It’s no use rocking or crying in a corner. I’m going to live each day as I can. I try not to think about it too much. As for Saturday, after all this time, it is actually happening. I cannot believe it. The kindness shown to us has been out of this world.”
It would be fantastic if you could help support the Race4Life Marathon effort. With your support the dreams of our patients, like Kiri, really do come true.
Partnership with AUT
Race4Life have had a wonderful opportunity this year to work with the Event Management students at AUT. Head of Department, Alison Booth is working together with Viv James to plan fundraising events with the third year students.
This is a fantastic opportunity for students not only to be educated in the work of our Trust, but also to learn all about fundraising and organising an event. At the same time it gives Race4Life a chance to work with young people, whose energy and passion will be directed towards raising funds for our Trust.
A huge thank you to Alison Booth from AUT for your support and belief in the work we do.
A Day to Inspire
Rob Matthews was born with degenerative retina disease, and by the time he was 20 he was declared legally blind. Unlike most people Rob decided this was the time to get on with life and to make the best of the situation.
A natural runner, Rob put all his energy into becoming one of Britain’s best ever Paralympians, achieving records in distances from 800metres to the marathon (2 hours 47minutes being his best). Rob has set 22 world records, won 30 international gold medals, including 8 Paralympian golds, whilst living in Britain. The good news is, that Rob now resides in Auckland New Zealand with his gorgeous wife Sarah and two children, Thomas and Molly.
At Christmas time last year, Rob was diagnosed with a brain tumour and he himself now faces the challenge of a palliative diagnosis. This absolutely amazing man will be our speaker at the 2017 Day to Inspire. We are totally honoured to have Rob as our guest. Rob will be accompanied by Sarah on the day and together they will present the life of a fabulous human being.
Kim Shares her story
A chance encounter between mutual friends recently reconnected my biological father and me again after 35 years. Turns out he had terminal cancer. A planned trip to meet was suddenly brought forward on July 19th when the kids and I were asked to prepare to fly to Auckland that afternoon. The kids met Grandad Tony for the first time, and I saw Dad for the first time since I was 12.
During our time with him, Dylan read him a story he wrote about a boy whose Grandad was dying from Cancer. They went on a fishing trip and caught an unusual fish that turned out to be the cure for Cancer. Dad started off smiling, then launched into laughter, coughing up so much lung and blood in the process, we half thought we’d killed him there and then. At the end of the story he sat as forward as he could and clapped, saying “Happy Hippy! Happy Hippy!”
Dad lived a reclusive hippy lifestyle, off the grid on Great Barrier Island, away from Society. He always called himself the Happy Hippy.
A chance encounter between mutual friends recently reconnected my biological father and me again after 35 years. Turns out he had terminal cancer. A planned trip to meet was suddenly brought forward on July 19th when the kids and I were asked to prepare to fly to Auckland that afternoon. The kids met Grandad Tony for the first time, and I saw Dad for the first time since I was 12.
During our time with him, Dylan read him a story he wrote about a boy whose Grandad was dying from Cancer. They went on a fishing trip and caught an unusual fish that turned out to be the cure for Cancer. Dad started off smiling, then launched into laughter, coughing up so much lung and blood in the process, we half thought we’d killed him there and then. At the end of the story he sat as forward as he could and clapped, saying “Happy Hippy! Happy Hippy!”
Dad lived a reclusive hippy lifestyle, off the grid on Great Barrier Island, away from Society. He always called himself the Happy Hippy.
He fell asleep shortly after, unable to be woken. During this time Dad’s brother turned up. I hadn’t seen him since I was very little, we hugged the living daylights out of each other. We sat with Dad and told him how happy we were that he’d brought us all back together. Dad opened his eyes for a second as we kissed him goodbye and said we’d see him in the morning. We never did. He passed away peacefully early the next morning.
I didn’t have time to look through the few possessions he had there, so decided to leave them with my Uncle for the time being, as we had a flight to catch. The only thing I managed to see was that Dad did have a very old picture of my sister Nikki and me in his wallet. Turns out Dad carried us around with him all this time.
As we were leaving, one of the Hospice nurses called us all over to sniff the box of Panadol she’d taken from Dad’s bag. “What does that smell like to you?” she said. It wasn’t rocket science. It was full of pot. The hall filled with laughter. Then more laughter as we all realised I almost took it through the airport and onto the plane!
Race4Life made this happen. Initially the thought finally reuniting with Dad, then having to say goodbye, kind of turned my brain into a pretzel. Race4Life just scooped us up in their big ‘make stuff happen’ arms and put all the pieces of the puzzle together. God knows how they got all those ducks in a row. Dates changed, flights were updated, insurance was negotiated, accommodation was reorganised. And BAM! We’re in Auckland, where we meet Rob and Jonnie – genuine smiles and sparkly eyes were just the beginning. What a lovely distraction, all that talking and laughter. They drove us hundreds of kilometres and waited many hours while we spent time with Dad, visited special, meaningful places and even managed to squeeze in a trip to Kelly Tarltons. While there, the kids and I created a digital star fish with Dad’s name on it. This gorgeous creature swam out of the little tank we created it in, then out into the large colourful ocean projected onto the wall. It was like we were setting him free.
The Race4Life team did so much more than arrange a dying man to meet his family. They gave so much of themselves. We all felt so genuinely cared for. It feels strange to say something so sad was also so wonderful. So much good came from that weekend – healing, closure, comfort and new relationships.
Thank you Race4Life. When I retire, I’d like to join you!!
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