Kenzie's Gift

Phone: (09) 446 1100
Mobile: 027 345 2514
Email Kenzie's Gift
Web: www.kenziesgift.com

Who We Are
What We Do
How to Support Us

"Hope and Healing is not only about prescribing medicines, but working together and sharing in a spirit of joy. Health is based on happiness, finding joy in family and friends."
Patch Adams, M.D

Who We Are
Kenzie's Gift is the vision of Nic Russell. It is inspired by the life of her daughter Kenzie and the cancer journey they shared together.
Cancer is the biggest killer and cause of disability in children and adults in New Zealand. Approximately three children and 324 adults are diagnosed with this life threatening illness every week. It is every family's worst nightmare. At the time of a loved one's diagnosis, everyday life stops and a different one begins.
Children and families living with cancer have a unique set of emotional challenges that become apparent when faced with the trauma of a cancer diagnosis, the separation from loved ones, seclusion, and the effects of medical procedures, surgeries and drug therapies.
These emotional challenges can include anxiety, depression, self esteem issues, concern with body image and interpersonal problems.
Kenzie's Gift aims to establish a specialist team of community based family therapists, play/youth specialists and art/music therapists. This team will be able to provide support from the time of diagnosis through treatment and beyond which may encompass either bereavement or survivorship.

What We Do
The aims of Kenzie's Gift are:

1. To encourage and allow the family/child themselves to have as 'normal' a childhood and family life as possible through appropriate play opportunities, therapies and supports.

2. To encourage the opportunity for extended family and whanau to participate in play, therapies and supports with the aim to enhance communicative and expressive opportunities.

3. To provide ongoing support for families and whanau through survivorship and bereavement.

4. Upon the request of the family, to liaise with schools and relevant groups which are an integral part of their lives, to offer support, education and advice around the needs of the family and the child.

Psychotherapy/counselling opens the way to improved communication and understanding.

Play therapies including modelling, art, music, relaxation and exercise promote and enhance emotional well being of children, young people and their families.

Complementary therapies such as meditation, relaxation, acupuncture, laughter and exercise
help with mood, ability to cope, anxiety levels, depression and breathing.

Expressive therapies such as story telling, puppetry, harakeke, play and drama lead to enhanced understanding and expression of feelings, fears and anxieties.

Art therapy facilitates an open expression and understanding of fears and anxieties in children and young people living with cancer.

Music therapy bridges a gap in communication, opening up opportunities for creative expression, development and growth.

How to Support Us
To enable us to achieve our vision and make it a reality, you can offer your support to Kenzie's Gift in a number of ways:

• making a donation - donations can be sent to ASB Bank, Devonport, Account Name: Kenzie's Gift, Account No. 12-3015-0612425-00
• becoming a workplace sponsor whereby Kenzie's Gift is your charity of choice
• becoming a sponsor
• volunteering to assist with our events and activities

To find out more, please contact us either by email or phone. We would love to hear from you and to answer any of your queries.

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