Author’s healthy mission
Timaru plasterer Terrance Page made it personal when his niece was diagnosed with a form of cancer, and the cause is a good one. Al Williams reports.
Timaru plasterer Terrance Page is using his pen to shine a light on child cancer and encourage healthy eating in youth.
He has just written and illustrated his third children’s book Concrete Tones, following on from Otaio Races and Jim Buys a Truck, and all the books contain a common theme.
‘‘It’s to get children eating healthy. It’s about encouraging children to eat from garden to table.’’
Page, 50, said proceeds from donations for the books are distributed to the South Canterbury Cancer Society in aid of research. He has funded the publication of all three books.
He began writing his books in South Canterbury in 2016 – his mission to encourage healthy eating after his niece Macey Burgess was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in February 2016.
He was inspired to write, and distribute the books when he visited her in the child cancer ward at Christchurch Hospital.
‘‘It was horrific, I just thought, ‘this is too much, I’ve got to do something’.’’
When Page had time off work due to his own cancer recovery, he started writing and illustrating.
While he has recovered from cancer, he said several of his colleagues, family and friends, have lost battles with the disease.
‘‘I’ve lost a lot of people.’’ Page said his third book continued with a healthy eating message, and was based on childhood experiences.
His writing features classic motor vehicles and characters who eat vegetables, and have enduring strength from healthy diets.
Page has previously called for more investigation into child cancer rates, and for more money to be earmarked for research.
‘‘I want the proceeds of the books to help cancer research. I’d love to find out why so many kids are getting cancer.’’
Page said he could see the link between diet and cancer rates.
Eating healthy, specifically home grown vegetables, and avoiding sprayed products, was beneficial, he said.
‘‘Sprays on vegetables are not good chemicals and there are links to cancer.
‘‘There is still a chance for kids to grow their own vegetables, the home vegetable garden is getting lost and it’s sad to see it go.
‘‘I don’t want to give up with the concept of healthy living and the proceeds from these books will go to child cancer research.’’
‘‘Someone needs to do something to help these kids.’’
South Canterbury Cancer Society centre manager Leola Smith said the organisation was ‘‘very grateful’’ to Page for his continued efforts.
‘‘The books are really lovely too.’’
‘‘I want the proceeds of the books to help cancer research. I’d love to find out why so many kids are getting cancer.’’
The book can be purchased at Todd Mudie Plastering, 4 Latter St, Timaru.