“Hang your heart on the wall” - Cancer Research For Kids Calendar

Vicky O'Connor

Vicky and daughter, Emily

The Child Cancer Foundation is proud to be associated with the 2006 Cancer Research for Kids Calendar, a fundraising initiative that began three years ago due to the efforts of Vicky O’Connor, mother to a young cancer survivor.

The purpose of the calendar is to generate funds for ongoing research into the treatment of childhood cancers.

Child cancer research gained momentum in the 1960’s and 70’s when paediatric oncologists began clinical trials and their research produced evidence that childhood cancer was chemotherapy-responsive. Treatment of children then became ‘curative’ in its intent. While in the 60’s survival rates for childhood cancer were negligible, in 2005 the survival rate for children with cancer is more than 70%, and the research continues in a bid to uncover treatments that are more effective and less invasive on young bodies, with the aim of lessening suffering and curbing long-term side-effects.

16 months after her own daughter Emily’s treatment for cancer, Vicky O’Connor was taking amateur photographs which she made into greeting cards and sold. “Much to my surprise they sold very well,” said Vicky. “At the time an oncologist based at the Children’s Cancer Unit - Dr Mike Sullivan, was granted an empty space in the School Of Medicine at the Christchurch Hospital to study childhood cancers. I decided to send all the proceeds from my cards to him to buy equipment. I think from memory my first payment to him purchased the telephone fax which is quite funny as he would have to be the most impossible person to get hold of! However this is precisely why I chose to support him as he has far more important things to be doing than fundraising and answering telephones.”

Soon Vicky was approached to make a calendar using her photography. “After being flattered for all of about 10 seconds the reality dawned on me there may be others out there doing the same thing and that they would have technical abilities that I do not!” Vicky recalls. “I hatched a plan then got on the phone and asked all the wee buddies I’d met during my daughter’s treatment if they would like to become famous. They all sent me their favourite photos to use in each calendar month. Along came the greatest graphics guy ever, Graeme Hobbs who understood the respect we needed to give to the children and their families who took part, and suddenly the calendar was born.

The project could not have evolved without the generosity and support of Holcim NZ who sponsored us all the way to print. Solid Energy has paid all the printing costs for the calendars over the last 3 years. I am extremely grateful for their ongoing support, especially for their understanding of the difficulties of juggling production from my home with bringing up my four fantastic girls.

Support from these sponsors and others meant we were able to purchase specialized equipment for the Research Lab from our first calendar effort. The best and most important thing to happen was that the kids involved thought they were famous. They will be famous to their parents and family and to me, always.”

The third-ever Cancer Research For Kids Calendar is due for release in October. Dr Sullivan is pleased at the effectiveness of the calendar as a fundraising tool so far. “In 2006 we plan to support a new PhD student who will commence work in our molecular laboratory,” said Sullivan, “and we will continue to fund projects to investigate the long term effects of cancer treatment in children and adolescents. It is simply excellent to have this stream of support available to us. Vicky and a host of wonderful sponsors and supporters have done a great job in making this happen.”

The theme for the 2006 calendar is: “Grandmas and Grandpas”; It is dedicated to those very special ones who play such an important role in their grandchild’s journey through cancer treatment, and who support their own adult children during such a trying experience.

Each photo in the calendar shows a grandparent sharing a special moment with their grandchild, something grandparents instinctively realise can never be taken for granted.

Calendars can be purchased by downloading and completing this order form.