Speech
Opening of Leukaemia & Blood Foundation Offices
May I start by greeting everyone in the languages of the realm of New Zealand - in English, Maori, Cook Island Maori, Niuean, Tokelauan and New Zealand Sign Language.
Greetings, Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Taloha Ni and as it is the evening (Sign)
May I specifically greet you: Blair Wingfield, Chairperson of the Leukaemia & Blood Foundation and your fellow trustees; Pru Etcheverry, Chief Executive; Distinguished Guests otherwise; Ladies and Gentlemen.
Thank you for inviting my wife Susan and me to the opening of the Foundation's first wholly owned premises here in Epsom today.
I have been asked to formally open these new offices, unveiling a plaque to do so, and also to present a plaque to honour a long-serving trustee, John Wigglesworth, but before I do so, I would like to speak briefly about the value of the work your organisation does.
Leukaemia and other blood cancers are insidious. The causes are often not clear and the diseases can strike anyone at any age. It is estimated that six people every day are diagnosed with leukaemia or a related blood cancer and in 2004, various blood cancers claimed more than 1,000 lives.
For 30 years the Foundation has played a significant role in funding research into these baffling diseases. For the last six years, it has expanded its remit to include supporting those living with leukaemia and other blood cancers and their families. I am advised that its small patient support team spread throughout the country receives close to 700 requests every month, either by email, phone or face-to-face, and has distributed some 40,000 booklets.
The work of the Foundation has value in many respects despite the difficult challenges. The mantra well known to adult New Zealanders such as "slip, slop, slap, wrap" in relation to preventing skin cancer simply isn't available given the relative randomness of blood cancers. Likewise, its hidden nature makes it a difficult disease for the public to understand.
But what has been called the Foundation's tagline of "vision to cure—mission to care" recognises the multiple efforts it applies in research, support, education and advocacy.
By engaging many volunteers who give of their time, skills and money to back the Foundation's programmes, the organisation helps build the fabric that gives strength to New Zealand society by support for some of its most vulnerable citizens—those who are sick and unwell.
On that note, I wish to acknowledge John Wigglesworth, who is here today. John was a foundation trustee 30 years and remains on the board today and it will be an honour to shortly unveil a plaque in recognition of your service to the Foundation and the community.
Of equal importance to the involvement of volunteers is the matter of the Foundation adding strength to New Zealand's democracy. What I mean by that is that democracy is more than casting a vote every three years. It is about participating in a variety of civic processes from voting, serving on juries, making submissions and lobby public organisations. I am interested to observe that the Foundation a few years ago, led a long public campaign to gain funding for a new cancer drug for people with Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia. The fruits of this campaign is that 90 percent of those receiving it are still alive at five years—a remarkable outcome against a disease, which previously killed almost all in that time period.
In opening these new premises, I would like to congratulate everyone involved. By owning its own premises, the Foundation will no longer be vulnerable to changing rents or short-term leases. It will now be able to put down roots and fully establish a national office and resource centre.
In conclusion, I wish to congratulate the trustees, management, staff and volunteers of the Leukaemia and Blood Foundation for its ongoing work to find a cure for these unusual diseases and supporting those affected by them.
Before I officially unveil the plaques to open the building and honour John Wigglesworth, I will close in Maori by issuing greetings and wishing everyone good health and fortitude in your endeavours.
No reira, tena koutou, tena koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tena koutou katoa