Valerie Vili Shows Real Heart At Charity Event
On 12 February, the day before her first competition of the year, New Zealand shot putter and Olympic champion Valerie
Vili gave her time to attend Massage for a Difference at the New Zealand College of Massage to show her support for leukaemia survivor James Roiauri.
Held just in time for the Valentine’s weekend, the two-day charity event is the brainchild of leukaemia survivor James
Roiauri who developed the idea with a goal to raise $10,000 for the Leukaemia & Blood Foundation (LBF).
Valerie says: “I am grateful for the opportunity to support the event; I’ve had some amazing people help me along the
way and I know how important it is to help others when I can.”
As part of the two days, netball legend, Silver Fern and coach, Yvonne Willering and Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga, MP for
Maungakiekie, are both promised to attend and support the event on the Saturday 13 February.
Now a student at the New Zealand College of Massage, James developed the event to combine massage with his passion for
inspiring people and encouraging others battling leukaemia and other blood cancers.
Pru Etcheverry, Executive Director of the LBF, says: “We are humbled by James and inspired by his positive attitude and
enthusiasm. Raising awareness is critical; that’s been further highlighted by the recent release of the Ministry of
Health report of cancer projections showing that the blood cancers, particularly lymphoma, are projected to continue to
rise.”
ENDS