Skip for Life Event April 22nd 2007

We have received an update on Skip for Life from National coordinator and facilitator Jacqueline Harrison - the event below raised $10,000 which is being dispersed to four women requiring funds for their 12 months of Herceptin treatment. Nelson alone raised $4,963 through 200 skippers on the day, well done!

The next national event is planned for Sunday October 14th 2007 and organisations interested in participating are encouraged to contact the Skip for Life coordinator on (09) 410 5706, mobile 021 410 570 or by email.

‘Skip for Life’ Launches National  Herceptin Fundraiser April 22

This Sunday communities nationwide will be ‘skipping for life’ to raise funds for women with early stage HER2 + breast cancer who cannot afford the high price tag of Herceptin. To find out more about this event, please visit the Skip for Life site at www.skipforlife.org.nz

‘Skip for Life – Create a Different Tomorrow’ will see sponsored skippers join together in Auckland, Wellington, Nelson and Christchurch, link arms and skip in long lines to raise money and show their support for women with early HER2 + breast cancer.  All funds raised in each area will go towards supporting Herceptin treatment for women living in the same community.

Among those ‘skipping for life’ at the Auckland Skip for Life event will be leading New Zealand fashion designer Liz Mitchell, a breast cancer survivor who has designed a Skip for Life T-shirt.

Skip for Life is the brainchild of Auckland businesswoman, registered nurse and mother of two Jacqueline Harrison. Ms Harrison is determined to reduce the stress on women coming to terms with a diagnosis of HER2 + breast cancer. ‘It is too much to expect women coping with the debilitating effects of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments to organise fundraising as well,’ she said.

PHARMAC is proposing to fund only 9 weeks of Herceptin for New Zealand women while 23 OECD countries have already adopted the proven life-saving 12 month regimen.

Breast Cancer Aotearoa Coalition (BCAC) Chair Libby Burgess said BCAC is 100% behind member Skip for Life’s initiative. ‘It is fantastic to see Jacqueline and her team supporting HER2+ women in this very practical way,’ said Ms Burgess. ‘Skip for Life is another wonderful initiative from the community showing that New Zealander’s really care about each other.’

Skip for Life events will begin at 10am, Sunday April 22 in the following centres:

Auckland:                      Waitemata Square, Viaduct Basin

Wellington:                    Frank Kitts Park, Jervois Quay, Wellington Wharf

Nelson:                         Tahunanui Park

Christchurch:                 Christchurch Girls High School sports field, Matai St, Riccarton 

About Skip for Life

BCAC welcomes its 16th member group, Skip for Life, and is proud to support their initiative to raise funds for women requiring treatment with Herceptin.

Join hands and join forces in the national Skip for Life fund-raising event on April 22.
In Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington and Dunedin, people will meet at designated areas to link hands and skip 500 metres, raising much-needed sponsorship funds to fight HER2+breast cancer with the drug Herceptin.

At a cost of more than $70,000 many NZ women cannot afford to take this potential lifeline.

Skip for Life founder Jacqueline Harrison is passionate about reducing the stress on women coming to terms with a diagnosis of HER2-positive breast cancer. She says it is too much to expect women coping with the debilitating effects of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments to organise fundraising as well.

Driven by her desire to make a difference, Jacqueline came up with the campaign idea of ‘Skip for Life – Create a Different Tomorrow’ to provide a national focus for fundraising. Those involved with the project are contributing their services free of charge.

Leading fashion designer Liz Mitchell has produced a T-shirt design as a major contribution to the fundraising effort. Profits on T-shirt sales will go into the fund for distribution to women struggling to afford Herceptin.

Jacqueline Harrison is a registered nurse, business owner and mother living on Auckland's North Shore.
 
For further information about Skip for Life, please email enquiries to