Dannevirke: Joy brightens up horror year

Dannevirke's Casey Goode and Morgan Mehring, with Visique Dannevirke optometrist Courtenay Le Cheminant. Photo / Supplied

Casey Goode and Morgan Mehring have known each other for more than 16 years but it wasn't until their first children were born six years ago that they became close friends.

Raising their young families together, Casey and Morgan have been friends through several significant life events, including Casey being there for the birth of Morgan's second child.

However, another significant life event in the pair's friendship now is something more serious. In February, Casey was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma. As a mother to four young children, she has relied on good friends like Morgan, who has set up a roster for friends and family to deliver a weekly box of fresh fruit and vegetables, to help her through a very tough few months.

"The Dannevirke community have pulled together to help with donations, food, cooked meals and support. From the children's pre-school, to the Dannevirke Warehouse, to my youngest children's nana, to people at my sister's workplace and the church, I am so humbled and appreciative of it all. We have an amazing town," Casey said.

After completing chemotherapy, Casey was told her scans showed all tumours were gone. This was a cause for celebration for both Casey and Morgan, who were relieved when told the news.

However, recently when Casey went for a routine scan, she felt a lump where her previous tumours had been. After an additional visit to her doctor, Casey required an urgent ultrasound, which showed two suspected tumours, suggesting a probable lymphoma relapse. She is currently anxiously awaiting an appointment with her oncologist, a thyroid surgeon and the biopsies of three different masses.

Wanting to lift the spirits of her friend, Morgan saw the Visique Caring Friends campaign on Facebook and nominated Casey.

"After a year like she's had, no one deserves a great escape quite like Casey does," she said.

"Casey has had bad luck followed by bad luck. It has been a year of huge trials for her. Yet despite everything she has gone through and is again faced with, she has remained positive, upbeat and someone I admire greatly. Not only has Casey remained a truly supportive friend throughout everything which has happened, she has remained an exceptional mother to her children. Her strength amazes me and I am honoured to call her a friend."

As winners of Visique's Caring Friends competition, both Morgan and Casey have won a de luxe Air New Zealand holiday for two to a mystery destination. Casey is looking forward to taking her sister with her, who has been very supportive. "This year has been just as tough for her as it has been for me," she said.

Visique chief executive Brian Rosenberg said he was delighted two very deserving Dannevirke locals and their loved ones were the recipients of the campaign's first prize draw.

"Kiwis by nature are giving, caring and kind individuals, and these traits are best seen in the form of friendship," he said. "Casey and Morgan's relationship is another reminder of how important our connections with people are. We are delighted these very deserving individuals have each won a mystery holiday for two."