Calendars fund treatment
Katikati’s Colin Stitt was diagnosed with aggressive stage four prostate cancer two and a half years ago.
It was at level 9 on the Gleason score (a grading system used to help evaluate the prognosis), which had metastisised into his bones.
The 74-year-old said the first oncologist he saw suggested, that along with hormone therapy and radiation, some natural means of fighting this cancer, which come in the way of capsules. These cost $171 a bottle of 90 and the recommended dosage is six per day.
“We simply cannot afford this, along with the organic diet the same oncologist advised me to follow,” Colin said.
Colin and wife Maureen once owned their own home — mortgage free — but now due to circumstances beyond their control are having to rent and rely on the pension for income. To increase their income Colin has created a 2019 calendar with local photos and local businesses advertising on each month.
“I had 2000 of these printed because the cost of printing reduced drastically as the number increased.
“I have sold about 800 calendars during the past three months, which is good, but with only six weeks left to the new year, I have my doubts that I will sell them all without spending money on advertising.”
These beautiful calendars are colourful and cost just $10. Buying one will assist Colin to pay for his non-subsidised cancer treatment. The couple will be at Countdown supermarket today from 9am to 5pm and again on December 2 and 10 from 9am to 5pm.
The calendars are also available from The Big Avocado, Katikati Community Centre, BeeNZ the honey shop on Tetley Road and the Orchard House Cafe on State Highway 2 north of Katikati. Or from Colin’s home at 117a Park Rd, Katikati. Give him a call if you’d like to buy a calendar or two on 549-4200.