Professionals Support Samantha in Cancer Appeal

Professionals Support Samantha in Child Cancer Appeal

Professionals offices in Auckland and Northland are joining brave kids like young Samantha Turnwald in a bid to raise money by holding various fundraising events for the Child Cancer Foundation Appeal this week March 19 to 25. The foundation relies heavily on sponsorship and the public's generosity with donations, as it receives no government funding.

Almost-four-year-old Samantha is becoming known throughout New Zealand as this year's 'face' of the annual appeal, appearing in the special appeal television commercials and posters, and promoting the sale of fundraising 'bravery beads'. The young Waikato cancer survivor is sure to capture hearts of the nation as she asks the public to help raise funds to support all children with cancer, and their families.

With the help of her twin sister Lucy, parents Mark and Jo, and little sister Sophie, Samantha has battled cancer bravely since her diagnosis on Queen's Birthday weekend, 2004. After two visits to local doctors, then a CT scan and ultrasound at Waikato Hospital, the Turnwald family was told Samantha had cancer and would be admitted to Starship.

After an agonizing weekend's wait, a biopsy confirmed that Samantha had stage four cancer – a tumour of the liver called Hepatoblastoma and secondary cancer on her lungs. Samantha faced several months of chemotherapy, major surgery to remove part of her liver and gallbladder, then further chemotherapy.

While Samantha still faces some side effects from her treatment, she is happily in remission and is excited about seeing herself in the appeal's advertising campaign.

Professionals Regional Chairman for the Auckland/Northland Region Gary Murphy says the real estate group is proud to be associated the Child Cancer Foundation, raising $2.5 million since 1995 through Professionals staff donating contributions from house sales, numerous fundraising events and assisting with national appeals.

To date, contributions from the Professionals have purchased and administer two Sunshine Lodges in Taupo and Queenstown, Family Places in Wellington and Auckland, and a national office and resource centre in Auckland. The Sunshine Lodges allow families who have a child with cancer to take a much-needed break and have time out together. The Family Places, located near hospitals, provide a restful environment for family and friends – they also give children living with cancer and their siblings a place to relax and play.

As part of their efforts toward this year's appeal, the Professionals office in Takapuna, Jigsaw Realty, will be out in full force on Friday, March 23, says Principal Craig Warburton. Their entire team of 10 staff members will be out on the pavement with their balloons and buckets as they do each year, in support of The Child Cancer Foundation.

"We will be doing a street collection in Milford and Takapuna. It's a very straightforward but effective form of fundraising and we've built on it with each appeal. Last year we raised $5000, so we are hoping to beat that," says Craig.

Another Professionals office taking to the streets is Star Real Estate, which will be collecting in Howick and Botany on Friday, March 23. Last year, the Star team raised an impressive $4000 and is hoping for another great response from the public.

Principal of Star Real Estate, Raewyn Hamilton, says: "The Child Cancer Foundation is such a great support for children and families in need. It's such a worthwhile cause, that we're very happy to support it."

In the Bay of Islands, Dennis Corbett, general manager of Professionals Kerikeri, says his branch keenly supports the annual appeal – look out for their balloon-bedecked shopfront on Kerikeri's main street. "We are holding a big fundraising sausage sizzle on Friday lunchtime. We collect from passers-by, and of course we'll be selling bravery beads as well."

Gary Murphy says all Professionals branches will be involved in fundraising throughout Child Cancer Foundation Appeal week, and numerous activities are planned for Friday, March 23.

"Professionals staff stands wholeheartedly behind the Child Cancer Foundation," he says. "We firmly believe we should give back to the communities we work in, and collecting for the appeal is one very worthwhile way we can do this.

"So, get out and give your best when you see us out collecting on Friday."

ENDS

© Scoop Media