Volunteer for Pink Ribbon
Te Awamutu RSA conferred Life Membership on two longserving members — Martin Frew, Service Member, and Alistair Kerr, Returned Member-Merchant Navy.
Both men have contributed to the RSA in different manners.
Over his 15 years of membership, Martin has served two terms on the Executive Committee, has been a member of the Fishing Section for eight years and is currently its president.
Martin has made many practical contributions to the club, not the least of which is providing his painting skill and experience at little or no cost.
He has been involved in such activities as the CanTeen Fundraising Auction and an annual Batons Up event and continues to make a major contribution at a quiet, but always effective, manner.
Alistair has been a club member for 18 years.
He has served three terms on the executive committee.
In 2008, he saw a need for better communication and established TARSA, the quarterly newsletter.
Within that he included accounts of interviews with Returned Member Veterans, with the aim of educating the younger members in the core values of the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services Association.
He has done almost 80 accounts, with more to come.
Alistair is currently working on a brief history of the club’s first 100 years, to be published next year — the centennial year.
He writes a quarterly column in the RNZRSA’s magazine Review called RSA With A View and still contributes to TARSA and is assistant editor.
Breast Cancer Foundation New Zealand is seeking volunteers to help with its Pink Ribbon Street Appeal on Friday and Saturday, October 12 and 13.
“Team up for the ones you love” is the plea — volunteers might choose to sign up for a two-hour stint on the street, or rope in friends, workmates or a community group to cover several hours.
Volunteers will raise money at more than 1000 collection points, covering New Zealand from top to bottom.
Their efforts will fund research into new treatments, support Kiwis going through breast cancer, and lifesaving awareness and education programmes.
“The Pink Ribbon Street Appeal funds a large chunk of our work, so there’s a direct link between the time people give on the street and our ability to fund research, support and education programmes,” says Evangelia Henderson, chief executive of the Breast Cancer Foundation.
“If you can help, please get in touch with us now.”
The number of Kiwis diagnosed with breast cancer is still going up — it’s now more than 3300 women and 25 men a year — but survival is improving, thanks to earlier detection and improved treatments.
However, BCFNZ’s longterm vision is “Zero deaths from breast cancer”. Getting there will mean pushing for new frontiers in early detection, treatment and patient support.
“We can’t just carry on as we are, when so many women are still dying,” said Evangelia.
“The future of successful cancer treatment lies in personalised treatment targeted to each individual patient, and we’re determined to help our health system get there.
“This means not only addressing gaps in the current system through our grants for medical equipment, training of doctors and so on, but also making sure that we get new treatments faster, and that we look at new paradigms for patient support.
“We’re also funding our best researchers to move into leading-edge studies, such as bringing a therapeutic vaccine to clinical trial stage.”
The annual Pink Ribbon Street Appeal funds a large chunk of the Breast Cancer Foundation’s work, and is the most visible of its events in October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
To volunteer for the Pink Ribbon Street Appeal, visit www.pinkribbonvolunteer.co.nz or phone 0508 105 105.