A Letter from the General Manager
Hello all
I cannot believe that Winter is nearly officially over. The Wish Team have been flat out trying to keep up with all the new wishes. A very challenging task with the waiting list growing every day. We are slowly working through the wishes with imminent wishes taking priority. This weighs heavy on our minds and hearts to realise some wishes will never be realised due to lack of resource.
Our top priority this year has been to maintain a sustainable monthly income that will allow us to work at full capacity. In truth the pathway has been very challenging and Race4Life are now in a position where we are uncertain about our survival. I right to you with a very heavy heart. We are trying all we can to gather revenue that will contribute to our ability to continue the service.
We have developed a simply awesome service that over the last 6 years has fulfilled the wishes of almost 550 New Zealanders. There is no other organisation in New Zealand that offers this service to Palliative Care Patients over 18.
We are in the process of completing a university study with Dr Alision Booth at the helm. The study looks at the impact the WISH has on patients, their families and communities throughout New Zealand. This in fact is a world first. No study of such, has been attempted before for those over 18 years old.
Our application to present our work at the Montreal Palliative Care Conference in September 2022 was successful. We have been allocated 20 minutes to present our finds.
We have amazing statistics around how the WISH impacts on all and in fact changes communities. A special part of the study looks at the impact that COVID 19 has had on our service.
I sincerely ask you to consider a donation to Race4Life. Our service is truly beautiful and has filled a big gap in Palliative Care. Every little bit helps. It would indeed break our hearts if December were to be a time when our doors need to close.
If you are able to help, please use the Flo2Cash platform at the end of our Newsletter.
Thank you so much for your listening ear.
Viv – General Manager
Story of Anthony – First Test Match at 59!
59-year-old Anthony Hiraka lives in Whakatane and is an avid All Black fan. Anthony, with his wife Franny, have 4 gorgeous children, who simply adore him. His diagnosis of Lung Cancer was devastating for all the family.
To attend an All-Black Test match has always been the ultimate dream for Anthony. Race4Life was contacted and with the special assistance of Josh Kronfeld and the team at Eden Park, Anthony attended his first Test Match on August 7th.
The Hiraka family were determined to share this occasion with their beloved Dad, so they independently made arrangements to be at the test with Anthony and to share the special weekend planned.
And special the plan was. On arriving in Auckland on August 6th, Anthony and Franny made their way to the Fitzroy Hotel, a 5-star boutique hotel in Grey Lynn, where they were gifted to stay the next two days. A special invitation to the Captain’s Run, was organised by Josh Kronfeld, for the afternoon of Friday 6th August. Anthony was in his element getting the opportunity to meet both old and present day All Blacks. Volunteer Mike Masfen, ensured Anthony was on the spot, and on time!
Whilst in Auckland the plan was that Anthony and Franny would dine as special guests at Mission Bay Cafe, White and Wongs and on two occasions at Up Cafe. Unfortunately, this did not happen, as the family wisely decided rest before the big event was priority.
Test day brought some special VIP treatment, with the staff at Eden Park making special parking and seating provisions, especially accommodating Anthony’s needs. The Auckland Mustang Club played their part throughout the day, with transportation to and from the game.
How good is that! Thank you to all those involved, including those who so generously offered services that were cancelled at the last moment. We so very much appreciate the support that you give our beautiful work.
. 
Stewart Manson (Crowne Plaza) – The Extra Mile
Occasionally something strikes you as being EXTRA extraordinary, even in our business of dealing with “the extraordinary” on a daily basis. We at Race4Life, have always felt very honoured to be privy to the very best of humanity. The generosity and compassion shown by communities throughout New Zealand is simply stunning. It truly is humbling.
A gesture by Stewart Manson and the team from Crowne Plaza in Queenstown is one of those examples. Viv James interviewed Stewart regarding a beautiful gesture concerning patient Holley Goddard and family.
In May this year, Holley and her partner, Lee, had an awesome wish itinerary planned in Queenstown. They were to go alone without their children, for a special romantic time together. The community of Queenstown as per usual, went out of their way to make sure it was going to be something special. Unfortunately, Holley’s health faded. This gorgeous mother of two at 36, passed away in late May before fulfilling her wish.
On hearing this news Stewart contacted us in an email to say..
“Once Lee is comfortable, we would love to offer himself and the family the same stay in Queenstown from the hotel side. I know this isn’t Race4Lifes mission really, but this story has been particularly touching to us here.”
Viv spoke to Stewart about this beautiful gesture and the passion that drove it:
Viv: Stewart tell us a little about your self
Stewart: Like many of those employed in the Hospitality and Tourism industries, I come from overseas. My partner and I made a big decision, that we credit to the COVID Pandemic. We had plans to stay here in Queenstown for only a little while. However, with the luxury of time to think, we made a conscious decision to remain in NZ. Queenstown is one of the most beautiful places in the world and it keeps us grounded and aligned to our values. We have made a commitment to remain here, to the point we have a new member of our family, about to introduce themselves in late October!!
Viv: Can you tell me in a few words why you think your team reacted in the way it did, in light of Holley’s passing?
Stewart: We like to think that we live our values based on the vision of being a “HUMAN CENTRED” organisation. Do not get me wrong, we have highly skilled people diligently doing their job on a daily basis. However, at the core is an understanding that we all must be courageous and grounded and truly live every moment. A staff member’s diagnosis of Leukaemia last year rocked the boat greatly and brought the tight Leadership Team together. We looked at ways to support the person concerned and their family. When we were given the opportunity to support Race4Life again, it was a no brainer. Once the staff found out that the Goddards were unable to make it to Queenstown, the extended invitation for Lee and the children to come at another time, was a unanimous decision.
Viv: How might you sum up the reason for your continual loyal support of Race4Life?
Stewart: We are an organisation that wants to understand our people. We want to be transparent in our responses to staff needs and we want to understand the struggles of our team. We prioritise the opportunities we have to remain centred with a human face. With an open environment and a push for family values and balance, we have a loyalty reflected in staff stability. Covid has taught us many things. First and foremost, that we need to adapt to change. In the process we need to be kind and compassionate. I think we do it well here at Crowne Plaza. Thus, the unanimous decision to go “The Extra Mile”.
Bridal Show Raffle
In early September Race4Life has been given the opportunity to be the chosen charity at a new event established by Astral Bridal owner Lori McPherson. Lori and her team have been supporting Race4Life for a number of years, by supplying Bridal gowns to many of our patients.
The Bridal Show will take place on Thursday 2nd September and is expected to attract over 250 future brides. The idea of the occasion is to present to those about to tie the knot, an array of options available to them (and their partners) including, wedding dresses, rings, venue choices, photographers, suit hire, the list goes on.
Race4Life will get an opportunity to share our work with those present. We will also be selling an awesome raffle prize that could very nicely be seen as a HONEYMOON PACKAGE.
If you are interested in buying a ticket to the occasion please click here
To buy a single raffle ticket please click here
To buy x3 tickets please click here
Our Marathon Story
Collage of Wishes – Some images of our beautiful work!
.
Plea for help!
Race4Life has found it very challenging this year with enormous pressure placed on our skeleton Wish Team to meet the growing demand for wishes. In truth Covid has really impacted our organisation.
We will be employing a Fundraiser to work at making our model sustainable. Together we are working at raising money through our Marathon event, the Bridal show in September and Targa in October. PLUS of course, we are continually applying for Grants. It is a real struggle, as we continue to be absolutely passionate about what we do.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
We do need an injection of funds to help us as we strive to fulfil wishes. If we were to receive significant financial support, we could employ further resource. With another member on our team, we could start to really make an impact in our Waiting List and attend to wishes before our patients die.
Every little bit helps.
If you can help, please do by clicking the button below.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH
Donate To Our Cause:
If you would like to help you can donate to the Wish Service, sponsor an individual wish, or donate on a regular basis.
No Comments