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Dear ,
It has been fantastic to have our member meetings back up and running in Auckland as well as across the country. We're enjoying being able to get together again as I'm sure you are!
October was a very busy month with Sweet October and Breast Cancer Awareness Month events taking place across the country. We'd like to thank those who took part and all those who shared their personal stories in the news too. Your stories help raise awareness and understanding of life with advanced breast cancer and the work of Sweet Louise. We thought we’d share them with you all here as well in case you missed these beautiful stories and photos!
Lizzie
Almost a decade after receiving a terminal cancer diagnosis, a woman is taking life by the horns and isn’t letting go.
Lizzie Woodley, 53, has incurable breast cancer.
She knows the cancer, which has spread to her bones and lungs, will kill her – but she’s not ready to go yet.
A basketball player, Special Olympics coach, police officer in Levin and mother, Woodley has lived with the reality of her condition since 2012.
Margaret
Living with breast cancer for 20 years has been hard for Margaret Dobson of Havelock North but charities like Sweet Louise are a "gift".
Margaret Dobson was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000 while living in Palmerston North.
"The biggest thing we want is control.
"Most of the women I know are wanting to live the best life they can because we have stage 4 breast cancer - it's incurable."
Jessy
Jessy Aterea-Terry, 76-years-old, has breast cancer and made the choice when she was diagnosed not to have treatment.
She wouldn’t encourage anyone else to make the same call though, and respects the medical profession.
But twelve years and a cultural journey later, Aterea-Terry is alive and well, living on marae land in the tiny South Waikato town of Mōkau.
“For me, cancer’s just a word – I have no fear of cancer.”
Team update
We are greatly saddened to let you know that Nicki Roy and Jenny Cade are leaving our Sweet Louise team and moving on to new challenges. This is sad news for all our Sweet Louise Community and we will miss both of them very much.
Sweet Louise CEO Catrin Devonald says:
“This is a tough goodbye for us all. It takes a very special kind of person to fill the Support Coordinator roles.
"Many of you will have been touched by the kindness, compassion, energy and so much more from Jenny and Nicki. We are so proud of the work they’ve carried out and the care they’ve provided to members over the years.
“As Manager of Member Services, Jenny has brought great leadership and incredible passion and commitment to her role. She always inspired the team to deliver a very high standard of care and support to our members.
“Nicki is well known and loved by members in many parts of New Zealand having initially joined Sweet Louise in Auckland before moving to Wellington. Nicki's dedication to members and her wish to always do her absolute best for them will be missed by many.
“Nicki and Jenny often talk about how it has been an honour and a privilege to walk beside you, sharing the tough times, but also so much warmth, laughter and joy."
Jenny Cade.
Nicki Roy.
Nicki and Jenny add:
“We have both been inspired by you all – appreciating the strength and courage you show as you choose to make the most of life and look for something good in every day.
"Sweet Louise will always be close to our hearts and we wish you all the very best. Aroha nui.”
We wish Jenny and Nicki all the best for the future.
Sweet October sweeps the nation
Sweet October events took place throughout October right across the country and have raised an incredible $83,000 so far! There were parties, talks, bake offs, plant sales, samba dancing, auctions, raffles, V8 cars and much more – all mobilised and motivated to make sure Sweet Louise can continue to support you.
We hope you’re as proud as we are to know there is such care and support out there in our community!
Time Out is an opportunity for you to request a free holiday home. Now might the time to start thinking about a holiday for February or later in 2021!
Requests can be made up to 6 weeks in advance, for 2-6 day stays (depending on availability). The stays are completely free. Recipients are simply asked to clean and tidy before they leave.
It’s preferable to request a holiday outside of school holidays, public holidays and from mid-December to the end of January as these are times when home owners most want to use their house themselves. As it's coming up to the busy period, you can apply now to see if it's possible to secure a place before Christmas - otherwise it will be best to wait until 2021. School holidays can be difficult but Time Out will always do their best.
All you need to do is let them know you are a Sweet Louise member when you apply online and Time Out will check with us to confirm this.
You can apply online at https://timeoutnz.org/book-your-timeout/ or email Kylie kylie.hale@timeoutnz.org
There are other holiday options available too. Check with your Support Coordinator for more details.
With warmest wishes,
The Sweet Louise Support Coordinator Team: Angela, Kendra, Lesley, Nadine, Nicki, Tracy & Jenny
