SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR KIDS WITH CANCER

CHILD CANCER FOUNDATION APPEAL WEEK, 10-16 March 2008

Petra Hancock is a five year old cancer survivor, and this year during the Child Cancer Foundation 2008 Appeal (10-16 March), she is encouraging fellow New Zealanders to show their support for other brave kids like her.

Petra, the bubbly little girl from Whenuapai, was diagnosed with a Wilms tumour (cancer of the kidney) in March 2007 and underwent urgent surgery, followed by eight months of intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy, to stop the spread of cancer throughout her body.

For every procedure or treatment Petra endured in Starship Children’s Health, she received another special Bead of Courage. She collected a total of 376 beads during her treatments, including one for when her long hair fell out.

Beads of Courage is a support programme, sponsored by the Child Cancer Foundation, designed to honour the bravery of each child who undergoes cancer treatment in New Zealand. Each bead represents a different cancer treatment procedure and together they serve to map out the child’s unique story of bravery.

The Child Cancer Foundation wishes for all children bring treated for cancer to have the opportunity to participate in the Beads of Courage programme, and is asking New Zealanders to donate $4 and wear a Support Bead during the Appeal Week 10 - 16 March. Support Beads are available from Child Cancer Foundation street collectors or participating retailers.

“Appeal Week is our biggest fundraising initiative. The lives of these children and their families are turned upside down in a matter of minutes when they are diagnosed with cancer. The Child Cancer Foundation aims to provide emotional and practical support to all kids and their families as they go through this incredibly tough ordeal. Beads of Courage provides the children with a special way of communicating their experiences and lets them know just how brave they are,” said Child Cancer Foundation Marketing Manager, Olivia Blaylock.

This year, the Child Cancer Foundation is delighted to have Hyundai on board as the Platinum sponsor.

Executive Director, Hyundai Motors NZ, Philip Eustace, said, “We’re delighted to help the Child Cancer Foundation make 2008 the most successful Appeal to date. Part of this commitment involves giving Hyundai staff throughout our network of dealerships the opportunity to collect and take part in the Appeal.”

Hyundai is also the key sponsor of the Hyundai Wheels of Courage initiative, and at the end of Appeal Week, will be auctioning off a Hyundai Santa Fe vehicle covered in colourful handprints of kids with cancer. All proceeds from the Trade Me auction will go towards helping brave children like Petra.

“We are devoted to supporting children with cancer and their families, as well as the health professionals who care for them. We urge New Zealanders to dig deep and help us to raise the $2 million needed to continue supporting these families,” said Blaylock.

Every $4 donation to the Child Cancer Foundation Appeal will make a difference. It will help the Foundation to provide vital services to families including financial assistance, emotional support, education initiatives and scholarship programmes; it will assist in raising awareness of the cause; and enable the health professionals to continue the search for a cause and cure for childhood cancer.

Support Beads are available from street collectors or from Hyundai Dealerships, The Professionals Real Estate outlets, South Canterbury Finance offices, in-store at JK Kids Gear and the Mad Butcher, or from other participating outlets.