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People from Rotorua and the wider Bay of Plenty gave more than $21,000 at today’s Child Cancer Foundation breakfast and auction fundraiser.
And event organisers hope to be able to raise more than $3000 from a Trade Me car auction in the coming weeks, tohit their fundraising target of $25,000.
This year’s event, hosted by Professionals, was held at Distinction Rotorua Hotel and Conference Centre and included the auction of 12 artworks by children supported by the foundation.
Five-year-old Noah John Hall, from Taupō, couldn’t watch the auction because he was being treated for a rare form of kidney cancer at Starship Hospital this morning.
Noah was diagnosed earlier this year, just one month after he had started school.
Since then one of Noah’s kidneys has been removed and he has divided his time between treatment at Rotorua Hospital and Starship.
Five-year-old Noah John Hall has lost one kidney to cancer. He was diagnosed earlier this year. Photo / Supplied
“He said he didn’t know he had two kidneys,” Mercer said.
“He’s been really good about it all. We tell him everything and he understands.”
Mercer said Noah was really excited about his painting and she was under strict instructions to make sure it came back home.
She won the painting at auction for $750.
“The Child Cancer Foundation does a really, really good job. It’s a worthwhile thing to give them money.”
Oliver Graham Taipara was diagnosed with T-Cell ALL leukaemia when he was 6.
Mother Jamie Graham said the foundation “did so much” for her family and her son Oliver Graham-Taiapa after he was diagnosed with T-Cell ALL or acute lymphoblastic leukaemia at 6.
“He was very young, just trying to make friends.”
Oliver will turn 11 this month. In August, he earned his 1160th bead of courage to mark the completion of his treatment.
Child Cancer Foundation family support coordinator Pam Royal said the money fundraised today would “mean a lot” to families.
“It will help whānau by providing petrol vouchers and grocery shops,” Royal said.
“We make sure their cars are roadworthy and help with power accounts to make sure their homes are warm and so much more.
“It’s about making sure children get to treatment. It’s about making the children comfortable. Any donation helps.”
Child Cancer Foundation family support coordinator Pam Royal.
Rotorua Professionals McDowell Real Estate principal Steve Lovegrove said the staff at Professionals were proud to be presenting the event for the 27th time.
