Ease the Squeeze for people living with Inherited Metabolic Disease in Aotearoa: Christmas Tea Towel Fundraiser

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Thank you for coming here to support people in Aotearoa living with an Inherited Metabolic Disease. 

Metabolic diseases are complex, rare, genetic (inherited) conditions which result in the body’s inability to break down, transport produce chemicals or energy needed for the cells of the body to work properly. When the factory of our body starts to malfunction, the cells of the body start to become damaged and die. Examples of these are mitochondrial disease, PKU, Hurler disease, Fabry disease, Pompe disease, and so many more.

Metabolic diseases can occur at any age, from the newborn period right through to late adulthood. They can affect any organ system at any age, depending on the disease. The severity and impact on people’s lives can be variable. Completely “normal” people can start to lose skills, family start to notice changes in their behaviour, lose hearing or vision, they may become weaker, or develop liver, heart or kidney disease. As these are genetic conditions, they can affect the whole whānau, with siblings and parents becoming unwell due to the condition, adding additional strain.

Metabolic diseases are individually rare but collectively common.  The rarity makes them difficult to diagnose, difficult for people to understand, including for medical clinicians, and the journey for patients and whānau can be complex. Some are treatable with diet, others with complex medications, many of which are not funded in New Zealand, or with organ transplant. Some of our patients can only get access to therapies through clinical trials. Many however are not specifically treatable, except with supportive care.  

The first metabolic disease was described in 1908 by Sir Archibald Garrod. Since then, the number of known diseases has exploded to many hundreds of different diseases all falling under the umbrella of Metabolic medicine. Metabolic medicine is a constantly evolving field because of advances in the way these diseases are diagnosed. However, as the disease numbers grow, so does the need.

People with these disorders in New Zealand are cared for by the Adult and Paediatric National Metabolic Service, a multi-disciplinary team who care for each person individually across Aotearoa.

We, together with some of our wonderful whānau, recognise the huge unmet need, and the impact of these disorders on the wider patient community. We have set up Ease the Squeeze Trust to help meet some of this need. 

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That is where you come in.

The tea towel you are purchasing will help somebody living with an inherited metabolic disease.

To purchase a tea towel and help improve the lives of people and whānau living in New Zealand with inherited metabolic disease, follow the process on this site:

1. Purchase a 'ticket'
2. Purchase lots of awesome tea towels :-)
3. Purchase a courier if you would prefer this over collection (see below)
   
4. Alternatively, leave a koha/donation!
   
5. Pay, put in your details and wait for pick up or courier

Tea towel cost is: $14 (+ booking fee which goes to Humanitix charity)

PRE-ORDERS CLOSE: 18 December 2025

PICK-UP: 20 December from 2.45 pm outside LabPlus, Gate 4, Building 31, Auckland City Hospital, Grafton, Auckland 1148

DELIVERY: Click on the courier charge if you want the order sent to you, and don't forget to leave your address at the end!

Please note: We cannot guarantee these will get to you before Christmas, but we will do our best :-)

Ngā mihi nui mō tō tautoko!

Thank you for your support!