Society marks 30 years of helping

CELEBRATING: Jeanette Bunny, past chairwoman (left), Jacinta Buchanan, executive, Syd Morgan, past treasurer, Susan McWilliam, current chairwoman, John Dalziell, current board member, Westley Ensor, current board member, Linda Wong, current board member and Pauline McKenzie, past chairwoman. PHOTO/LYNDA FERINGA

The Cancer Society Wairarapa and its many volunteers, supporters and past board members celebrated 30 years in the region at the Copthorne Solway on Friday afternoon.

Cancer Society Wairarapa centre manager Jeanine Gribbin said the branch opened on December 17, 1984, and the birthday was about celebrating with all the people who had been involved over the years.

"Without the volunteers and donors, there isn't a Cancer Society."

Former chairwoman Jeanette Bunny, who started the Relay for Life event, recalled the first office was opened in the former Centrepoint building, then it moved to Perry St and finally into Dixon St, where it still is.

She said the organisation had evolved a lot.

"We used to do a lot of merchandising but we moved away from that to become a Cancer Society centre, bringing in the support services.

The number of volunteers had also grown rapidly, she said.

"From very small beginnings, we've grown into this huge number of people who support it."

Mrs Bunny said the society helped support people come to terms with their cancer, as well as practical support such as providing transport to medical appointments.

"The Cancer Society supports them all throughout their cancer journey. Nobody chooses cancer, cancer chooses you."

The non-profit organisation was formed in 1929 when the New Zealand branch of the British Empire Cancer Campaign opened in Wellington with the "conquest of cancer" as its mission.

The plan was to have the headquarters in Wellington and establish regional divisions.

By 1963, there were six regional divisions and the name of the society was changed to Cancer Society of New Zealand and its objective became "to minimise the impact of cancer".