Nation gets behind ‘Choose your challenge’ this August

NEWS RELEASE: 4 AUGUST 2014

Nation gets behind ‘Choose your challenge’ this August ahead of Daffodil Day

- Nationwide activities underway already to raise funds and awareness -

If the last viral challenge of emptying a bucket of cold water over yourself to raise funds for Kiwi charities didn’t appeal, the Cancer Society has another option - and this time New Zealanders get to choose their own challenge.

All over the country, passionate individuals, dedicated communities and fun-loving businesses are choosing their challenge this month ahead of Daffodil Day on Friday 29th August, with all funds raised going to the Cancer Society:

• Television personality Jaquie Brown has committed to the challenge of shaving her head in mid-August, with the aim of raising $5000 (she’s already got $1700 raised)

• Major Sponsor of the Cancer Society ANZ Bank will hold a celebrity art auction

• A team of people are shaving their heads from Bluebird to raise funds in a Tame Your Mane challenge

• Timaru and Ashburton are planning to ‘Paint the Town Yellow’, with businesses and shop fronts turning yellow this August

• Pride & Joy Ice Cream will support the campaign with a month of activity at their Sylvia Park Mall site, with kids and adults invited to donate and ‘milk’ Joy The Cow

• Many other challenges are being taken up all of the country including a high school holding 24hour rowing challenge, numerous people are choosing to ‘go without’ for the month and one person has even challenged themselves to enter a body building competition.

Jaquie Brown says of taking on the challenge to shave her head: “I have seen firsthand what people go through when they are trying to beat this disease - so this year I’m doing something personal to help. Some people say: ‘You are so brave’ - I'm not brave. Living with cancer is brave. But also, it’s just hair. I’m lucky to have the option and it will grow back.”

John Loof, Cancer Society Auckland’s Chief Executive Officer says: “As Jaquie notes, cancer is the biggest challenge that many of us will face in our lifetime and every day the Cancer Society supports people tackling this challenge head on.

“The first of August marks the beginning of the Cancer Society’s largest fundraising and awareness event, Daffodil Day, and the beginning of a month long ‘choose your challenge’ campaign. It’s exciting to see a number of communities, high profile people and socially-active businesses already getting behind us, with a range of challenges already underway.

“The fact is, sixty New Zealanders will receive a diagnosis of cancer today and by the end of August that number will have reached 1860. We’re asking Kiwis to give hope to people facing the challenge of cancer by visiting www.challenge.daffodilday.org.nz, choosing a challenge and raising money and awareness of the services the Cancer Society provides free right across New Zealand communities every day.

NEWS RELEASE: 4 AUGUST 2014

Challenges can be thought up by the individual, or a range of challenge ideas can also be found on the website.

“With one in three New Zealanders affected by cancer, Cancer Society aims to reduce the incidence of cancer for future generations. Our challenge is to raise the funds we need to support people who are diagnosed and to fund lifesaving cancer research. With your help there is hope.

“A challenge can bring out the very best in people, so we are throwing down the gauntlet nationwide, alongside Daffodil Day’s principal sponsor, ANZ.

“We’re asking people to take on a personal challenge today that can be done in or during August. Some groups have committed to scaling Mount Eden each time they received a donation, others are going without something for the month. We issue all Kiwis the challenge to overcome a personal obstacle, achieve something meaningful, or just have fun, while raising money for Cancer Society.”

“Our message is this: what’s your challenge going to be? What have you always wanted to do but are too afraid to do? What’s that New Year’s Resolution you didn’t get around to doing? What might you go without for a month?”

Loof says that it is easy for people to take part. “We have loads of great challenge ideas on the website http://www.challenge.daffodilday.org.nz/. We encourage anyone who is interested in getting involved to log on and:

1. Sign up and find a challenge or think up one yourself - to be completed by Daffodil Day

2. Share photos, stories and videos of yourself learning to do it / completing the challenge

3. Invite people you know to show their support by donating to you via the website and to encourage them to do their own challenge.”

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Daffodil Day

Daffodil Day, the Cancer Society’s annual flagship event, is one of the biggest fundraising and awareness campaigns in the country. Running since 1990, the iconic event has inspired people from across the country to come together and support the society’s work. As well as providing an opportunity to raise awareness of the impact of cancer in New Zealand, Daffodil Day is the main funding source for the Cancer Society, raising between $4.5 and $5 million each year.

ANZ is the principal national sponsor of Daffodil Day and a major sponsor of the Cancer Society. Since 1990 the bank has helped to raise nearly $15 million for Daffodil Day through the selling merchandise, collecting donations and a huge variety of staff fundraising activities.

How donations make a difference

- $10 will enable us to provide people affected by cancer with important support and information resources

- $15 will help fund our volunteer driving service: transporting people to their cancer treatments and hospital appointments

- $20 will contribute to our free Cancer Information Helpline – Any Cancer Any Question 0800 CANCER (226 237)

- $50 will help us offer counselling and support to people with cancer and their caregivers

- $100 will help us make schools SunSmart and work towards a Smokefree New Zealand

- $150 will assist us in supporting people with their accommodation and travel while undergoing treatment away from home

- $500 will help fund vital research into the causes and treatment of cancer

- But any donation, no matter how large or small, will make a difference in the life of someone living with cancer

The Cancer Society

The Cancer Society is an independent charity formed in 1929. Today it is the leading non-government organisation dedicated to reducing the incidence and impact of cancer, and ensuring cancer care for everyone in New Zealand.

The society has a national office in Wellington, six autonomous regional divisions, and 15 centres within the divisions. The focus is on locally funded provision of support services, health promotion and information appropriate to the people in each area. The society is a pro-active advocate for cancer patients in New Zealand, providing a voice on all kinds of issues including prevention, screening, early detection and treatment.

© Scoop Media