Gonville Health clinical director John McMenamin speaks at last Wednesday's launch of He Waka Eke Noa. Photo / Supplied
Rata Marae Committee members joined other supporters on August 24 for the launch of He Waka Eke Noa.
The research is a partnership between Whakauae Research and Gonville Health. Held at the Gonville Café Library next to the Gonville Health primary care service, the launch also brought together staff of
Gonville Health, the Whanganui Regional Health Network, Massey University and Te Aho o te Kahu Cancer Control Agency.
Supporters were formally welcomed to the launch by the research project's clinical lead, Dr John McMenamin. John shared some of the reasons why the research is important to him and to the team at Gonville Health.
Gonville Health is in a high health needs area of Whanganui and provides care for many whānau impacted by cancers. While there are success stories, it is not unusual for these cancers to have been detected later than is the ideal, often leading to poorer outcomes.
Dr Heather Gifford (Ngati Hauiti, Te Atihaunui-a-Paparangi), the project academic lead, talked about the unique opportunity the research presents for Whakauae to partner with both whānau and a mainstream primary health service provider.
