ONWARDS - a fundraiser for Cancer Society NZ

Please join me at Cinema Paradiso on October 14th to watch a screening of Onwards, and support my bid to raise funds for the Cancer Society of New Zealand

** Screening starts at 7pm - please arrive to be seated in theatre by 6:45.

"Onwards" (see link to trailer below) is Ben Wallbank's documentary film of my cancer journey, released this year and selected as a finalist in the 2025 DocEdge film festival. My hope is to use Onwards to raise awareness of Cancer, of the Cancer Society and the amazing mahi they do, and help others navigate their journey, hopefully raising funds for the Cancer Society along the way.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DDV-SvJSKPu/?igsh=MW1sajEyYXp1YWg0OQ==

In Feb 2023 I completed the internationally acclaimed Tarawera 100mile ultramarathon in Rotorua – an international trail race, where I placed 5th. A week later, I left for the Northern Hemisphere for my work as a Performance Physiotherapist with the NZ Ski and Snow Board team. Two weeks later, in my bathroom at the World Championships in Georgia, I found the lump on my tongue, and so my cancer journey began.

In May 2023 I had a partial glossectomy, and July-August underwent 6 weeks of Radiation therapy to my head and neck. Because I live out of Dunedin in Wanaka, I relocated to Daffodil House in Dunedin for the duration of my radiation treatment – Cancer Camp as my fellow residents and I called it – and I am so incredibly grateful for the support offered there.

Cancer impacts so many of us, with 74 New Zealanders diagnosed with cancer every day. Every donation received means the Cancer Society can continue to help by funding cancer research, prevention and support services for people with cancer and their whānau when they need it most.

If you are unable to attend there is still an option to donate through the ticket link below.

Thank you for your support, it means a lot!

*** this fundraiser directs funds to the Otago/Central Otago branch