The Cancer Society aims to surpass last year with an even bigger Relay for Life as the 2025 event approaches.
Gisborne’s Relay for Life returned to being an annual event in 2024 after consecutive relay cancellations because of Covid-19 and Cyclone Gabrielle.
Over 700 participants supported the popular Gisborne-East Coast Cancer Society fundraiser last year.
This year, the event will be held at Showgrounds Park on March 29 and 30.
Relay for Life 2024 was described in the Cancer Society’s annual report as “the highlight of the year”.
“It truly was a celebration with an amazing positive vibe, bringing our whole community together to rebuild connections after the effects of the devastating cyclone,” the report said.
The event was a great success and the Cancer Society “looks forward to bringing an ever bigger Relay for Life back in 2025”.
Another “significant milestone” in the year was the achievement of fundraiser extraordinaire Daryl Gowers who has raised $250,000 for the Gisborne East Coast Cancer Society over six years.
The last year has been challenging for the society and patients, with Cyclone Gabrielle cutting off access roads from the East Coast, impacting travel to appointments, receiving treatment and increasing overall anxiety.
However, supportive care services continued to be sought after.
The 2024 annual report said supportive care coordinator Carolin Deutsch had provided support to clients, both at home and through office visits.
“We increased access to support services and the presence of the Cancer Society on the East Coast by partnering up with Gisborne District Council and other support services and visiting Hicks Bay, Te Araroa, Ruatōria and Tokomaru Bay communities monthly.”
“This resulted in being invited by the pakeke group run by Te Runanga o te Ngati Porou and by the community centre Manaaki Matakāoa in Te Araroa to further kōrero with the local communities about the services we provide.”
The Cancer Society provided financial assistance through food and petrol vouchers and noticed an increase in the demand for food vouchers after the cyclone, up to $3650 compared to $2330 in the previous year.
The annual report acknowledged the work of the society’s “amazing volunteers”.
Drivers completed 31.5 hours of driving taking patients to medical appointments.
Ten receptionists provided 776 hours of office support.
Volunteers gave 638 hours through Relay for Life, Daffodil month and other events.
Gowers contributed almost 2000 hours in his scrap collection work where the proceeds go to the cancer society.
Trust members provide additional support and important leadership.
Cancer Society fundraising campaigns in 2024 included the inaugural Property Brokers Harvest Ball, Mother’s Day raffle, Christmas Cracker raffle, Daffodil Day and the annual street appeal.
Other highlights from August included a collection of community events across the district, such as a fun-filled movie night hosted by Rhythm N’ Lines group, an afternoon with Gisborne Country Music Club and dancing with the Caledonian Society.
The East Coast community strongly supported Cancer Society events.
The society received an income of $409,118 in the year ending March 2024 while expenditure was $408,373.
Revenue included total grants of $67,606 from CM Laing Trust, Eastern & Central Community Trust, Grassroots Trust Grant, NZ Community Trust, NZ Lottery Grants Board and The Sunrise Foundation.
