Cancer survivor turned away from race

Grant Wilson believes he was discriminated against at Tauranga's Relay for Life because he does not look like a 'typical' cancer survivor. Photo / John Borren

A cancer survivor says he was refused entry to a cancer fundraising event because he could not pay the gold coin donation.

Grant Wilson, a 51-year-old former biker with scars across his body and face from surgery to remove cancerous tumors, arrived at Tauranga's Relay for Life on Sunday but said he was turned away for not having any money.

Mr Wilson said a friend was allowed through but he was refused - and he believed he was discriminated against because his appearance did not fit the "typical cancer survivor dressed up in pink".

"Mate, I was in tears," he said. The Cancer Society is investigating his complaint.

Mr Wilson had been looking forward to the relay. "I was excited when I saw this thing. It was all so nice and happy and I thought this is really good, I'm going to go in there because I can go in there and celebrate just being alive.

"I felt strong enough to put myself there with other people. I felt like I wouldn't be looked at or judged or not accepted, it wouldn't matter what my face looked like."

But a man on the gate would not allow Mr Wilson in, he said.

"He said, 'No, you can't go in without a gold coin donation', but then if I could give that gold coin donation, I would be allowed in free."

Mr Wilson said he was broke, living at his parents and the cancer meant he could not work.

ACC would not help because the former concrete worker's skin cancer was not work-related.

"I don't have money on me any more because I don't have money.

"I want people to know cancer can affect ugly people too."

He described the man on the gate as "heartless".

Society spokeswoman Sarah Fitzpatrick said the incident should "definitely not have happened" and the organisation would be investigating.

"We do ask a gold coin donation for supporters that aren't registered to help with fundraising but obviously it's a donation so it's not expected."

Ms Fitzpatrick said it was disappointing Mr Wilson, as a cancer survivor, felt he could not be involved "because that's what it's all about, especially our survivors".

"No matter where they come from, who they are, they are still survivors. It sounds like there has been some confusion somewhere."

Relay for Life
The event is the Cancer Society's signature community fixture celebrating cancer survivors and caregivers, remembering loved ones lost to cancer and fighting back against a disease that affects one in three New Zealanders.