Massages to help cancer charity

James Roiauri is raising funds via massages this weekend for cancer sufferers. Photo / Greg Bowker

At a point where he had nearly given up all hope of living, a mystery Kiwi's bone marrow donation saved James Roiauri's life.

Now leukaemia survivor Mr Roiauri, a Wellington-born Cook Island Maori massage student, wants to share the love he has experienced by giving massages and is hoping to raise $10,000 for charity.

"Throughout my cancer ordeal, it was the regular massages I got from my family that kept my spirits up," Mr Roiauri said.

"I thought about what I could personally do to share the love and support that I have experienced, and thought a charity massage event is the best way I could do that, and at the same time raise money to help my cancer friends."

Mr Roiauri, 38, and 40 of his schoolmates at the New Zealand College of Massage will be providing massages, this Friday and Saturday at the college, to raise funds for the Leukaemia and Blood Foundation.

They hope that with Valentine's Day around the corner, people could treat the massages as gifts for their loved ones, while at the same time giving to charity.

Mr Roiauri was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia while living in Sydney in 2006 and was told he would die if he didn't get a bone marrow transplant.

"My world froze. I started asking, why me?"

He returned to New Zealand in the quest for a donor, but hit a brick wall when none of his family were found to be suitable.

"There were times when I just felt like giving up and that my world was coming to an end," Mr Roiauri said.

"But when I was at my lowest, the massages my family gave made me feel loved and kept me going."

Massage has been a part of his family tradition for generations and he believes the gift of touch could work wonders to relieve everything from pain, depression to sickness.

Mr Roiauri said he felt like the heavens had opened when a donor was eventually found through the New Zealand Bone Marrow Donor Registry.

He had his transplant operation in 2007, and his leukaemia is now in remission.

College mate Isobel Pelly says she is thrilled to be supporting the project.

"Every one knows someone who has been hit by the disease, and that makes this project rather personal," she said.

"I think it's great that through James' massage event, we are able to use our passion to raise money for a very worthy cause."

The Leukaemia and Blood Foundation estimates about 10,000 New Zealanders are living with blood disorders in New Zealand.

Six children and adults here are diagnosed every day with leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma or a related blood condition and leukaemia is the leading childhood cancer.

Blood cancer is the fifth most common cancer in this country.

The foundation says it is the first time it has been named as a beneficiary for a massage fundraising event, and chief executive Pru Etcheverry said proceeds would go to the foundation's patient support service, which provides help for patients and families living with leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma and related blood cancers.

Massage for a difference:

* Friday & Saturday, 9am to 5pm.

* New Zealand College of Massage, 98 Carlton Gore Rd, Newmarket.

* Charges: $20 to $60, for Leukaemia & Blood Foundation.

Bookings, ph (09) 638-3556.