Support people affected by cancer in Gisborne, Hawkes Bay, Manawatū, Whanganui, and Taranaki
My name is Lesley, and my life was changed thanks to you.
I’ve been on a long journey with cancer, being first diagnosed with Leukaemia three years ago while I was in Palmerston North Hospital. The Cancer Society has been there for me since that initial diagnosis, providing support for everything I needed at the time. I was in hospital, undergoing intensive chemotherapy treatment for 110 days. While there, the Cancer Society provided me access to food grants and put together a care package. Having the Cancer Society there also meant I had someone to talk to about what I was experiencing, which was really beneficial. At the end of the stay, I went into remission for seven months, and upon returning home to New Plymouth, they had arranged wigs for me to use. They also connected me with the Look Good Feel Better team, a group of beauty professionals who provide workshops and support to help cancer patients manage the appearance-related side effects of their treatment. This was a great help in boosting my confidence and self-esteem during a difficult time.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t long before the cancer came back.
I didn’t know what way the cancer was going to go at the time, so the Cancer Society helped me with my end-of-life plans in case that was needed. I ended up back in Palmerston North for further treatment, where I was able to access free massages while staying at one of the accommodation providers next to the Cancer Society.
The next step was to receive a stem cell transplant at Wellington Hospital. I hadn’t been able to work as I’d been so sick, so getting to Wellington and being able to stay down there was a real challenge. Having been denied any further food grant allocation, the Cancer Society stepped in to help arrange readymade meals. This meant a lot as I had no family support.
The stem cell transplant came with its own challenges, and now I am experiencing graft-versus-host disease. I reached out to the Cancer Society for support, and Denise, the supportive care worker in Taranaki, has been incredibly helpful. This entire experience has been difficult, but the Cancer Society's support has made it more bearable.
If you or someone you know needs help, please contact the Cancer Society. They have been great to me, and I’m sure they would be great to you, too.
The support you provide makes a significant difference in people’s lives, and mine in particular. Thank you for what you do to support the Cancer Society; it is truly life-changing. They rely on donations to fund the free services that they provide, services that are crucial for people like me. Setting up a regular donation is the best way to ensure that someone like me can get this vital support.
Please go to their website cancer.org.nz/donate-now/ to set this up, or you can donate directly to them here.
Warm regards,
Lesley Meehan
