On any day 63 New Zealanders will hear the words “you have cancer” (Cancer Society, 2020). A cancer diagnosis will deeply affect every aspect of a person’s life. This Friday, 28 August is Daffodil Day, a timely reminder of this horrible disease but also how much the Cancer Society does to support kiwis going through cancer.
At Ormiston Hospital we are able to treat and diagnose many different types of cancers, including the most common cancers; bowel cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, prostate cancer and skin cancer (including melanoma). We care for our cancer patients with the utmost attention and respect.
The good news is, with the advancement in treatments many cancers can be cured if they’re found in time. It is estimated that in New Zealand about 1 in every 3 people who get cancer is cured (Ministry of Health, 2020).
Bowel cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer related deaths in New Zealand and is highly preventable. Ormiston Hospital provides cancer patients an advanced gastroenterology and endoscopy service. Endoscopy at Ormiston gives our community access to a team of expert specialists who use the latest in medical imaging technology to make an accurate diagnosis or directly treat any cancerous growths with immediacy. Identified during an endoscopy procedure these growths, known as colorectal polyps, are a small clump of cells that form on the lining of the colon. Patients will come in to Ormiston Hospital for endoscopy treatment following a physician’s referral. Depending on the case, a tissue sample may be taken, or a polyp can be removed during the procedure. This procedure is relatively quick and can be done as a day stay procedure, allowing our patients to return home to recover.
Similarly, Ormiston Hospital has expert surgeons who including gynaecologists, urologists and breast surgeons who treat other types of cancers. Our team of surgeons and specialists understand how difficult it can be to go through this process and back on the road to recovery. With the support of organisations like the Cancer Society, patients are able to access further support and resources to help during this life changing time.
The Cancer Society relies on donations from the public and sponsors. Unforunately they have had to cancel this year’s street appeal for the first time in 30 years – putting a financial strain on one of their biggest collection days. With the help of donations, the Cancer Society work hard to help cancer patients get to medical appointments, provide accommodation where necessary and have specialist nurses who provide support through treatments.
With the Alert Levels changing throughout the country there are many safe ways to donate online if you are able to this Daffodil Day.
- Buy a daffodil online for someone you know: https://www.daffodilday.org.nz/mydaffodil/
- Make a donation of $24 and help get a patient to their cancer treatment: https://www.daffodilday.org.nz/
- Make a one off or regular donation: https://auckland-northland.cancernz.org.nz/how-to-get-involved/make-a-donation/donate-now/
If making a donation is not possible for you at this time there are other ways you can help, look at volunteering opportunities: https://auckland-northland.cancernz.org.nz/how-to-get-involved/volunteer/ or take part in other fundraising events: https://auckland-northland.cancernz.org.nz/how-to-get-involved/take-part/
