Red Nose Day 2022 Celebrates Significant Breakthrough

Red Nose Day 2022 celebrates significant breakthrough in the race for a Batten disease cure, as more than 100 Kiwi schools champion fundraising initiatives to reach $1m goal

Cure Kids’ annual Red Nose Day returns on Friday 29th July, with the national appeal and widespread fundraising activities throughout July supporting a goal to raise $1 million to support research into a wide range of child health conditions.

With over 100 New Zealand schools participating in this year’s fundraising efforts, Cure Kids CEO Frances Benge is grateful to the communities and individuals hosting their own events or donating to support the vision of a healthy future for Aotearoa’s tamariki.

“Every day, New Zealand researchers are working tirelessly to find treatments and cures for childhood illnesses and diseases, funded by the generosity of Kiwis”, shares Benge.

Two major community fundraisers have already taken place and raised over $75,000, thanks to Recreate Performance’s 24 hour challenge in Christchurch and Ra Hauora's Te Kākano endurance event in Auckland.

Ben Parore, the Te Kākano organiser who gained worldwide recognition for helping a disabled runner complete the New York marathon in 2019, shares the significance of Ra Hauora’s annual fundraiser.

“Our annual event is such an important kaupapa, it brings together multiple communities with whānau of all fitness levels. It’s a safe space for people to give it everything within their own personal abilities while helping fund research to help save, extend and improve the lives of vulnerable children diagnosed with serious life-impacting and life-limiting health conditions,” says Parore.

Cure Kids is also thrilled to see businesses getting creative this year, with Over the Top Helicopters in Queenstown emblazoning their helicopter fleet with red noses and donating 10% of sales from Red Nose Day directly to the charity.

This year’s Red Nose Day also marks a significant milestone for Cure Kids, with a recent research breakthrough from a campaign that started in 2012 with the help of Flight of the Conchords. After years of extensive gene therapy in sheep, researchers from Lincoln University and the University of Otago have begun embarking on world-first research into the treatment for Batten disease, with FDA approval secured to commence trials in humans.

“We hope this recent breakthrough reminds Kiwis how important their donation to Cure Kids is, as we believe this research could lead to better treatments for those suffering from the debilitating effects of a rare and cruel childhood disease”, explains Benge.

New Zealanders are encouraged to donate through Cure Kids’ incredible partners, Briscoes, Rebel Sport, Living & Giving and Columbus, who are all collecting donations in store for a special edition red nose face mask.

Find out how to donate: www.rednoseday.co.nz

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