Hundreds of volunteers across Aotearoa will participate in March’s Street Appeal to support families affected by childhood cancer, ensuring that no family faces the journey alone. The need for assistance continues to grow, with the number of families supported by Child Cancer Foundation Family Support Coordinators increasing by more than 20 percent compared to last year. The Foundation is urging Kiwis to donate during the nationwide Street Appeal on Friday 13th and Saturday 14th March.
Chief Executive Monica Briggs emphasized that even small contributions can make a meaningful difference for tamariki with cancer and their families. She explained that weekly in Aotearoa, four families receive the devastating news that their child has cancer, beginning a long journey of treatment and lifelong effects. Donations, even as modest as the price of a coffee, can provide both practical support and emotional comfort, such as a hot drink delivered by a Family Support Coordinator along with a listening ear.
One family benefiting from the Foundation’s support is toddler Holly and her whānau from Upper Hutt. Holly’s condition initially appeared minor but quickly escalated, and after medical consultations and tests, she was diagnosed with High-Risk B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia. Her parents, Jenna and Nathan, had to manage hospital visits in Christchurch while caring for her sibling at home. Child Cancer Foundation assisted with flights for family visits and provided emotional support through their Family Support Coordinator. Jenna highlighted the vital role the Foundation played, offering practical help and emotional guidance during the most challenging moments.
Briggs noted that the impact of childhood cancer extends beyond the affected child, affecting siblings and the wider family. Programs like SuperSIBS are designed to support siblings, helping them build resilience and stay connected through supportive activities.
Child Cancer Foundation relies on raising at least $6.5 million annually to continue providing essential emotional, financial, and practical support, as it receives no direct government funding. Volunteers across the country will help during the Street Appeal, and the Foundation is calling on more Kiwis to donate their time at key sites, including Auckland CBD, Birkenhead, Mt Albert, Pukekohe, Takapuna, Waiuku, and Westgate, to support families navigating the challenges of childhood cancer.
