Latest news with #Leukaemia&BloodCancerNewZealand
Scoop
24-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge Raises Over $1.9 Million
Today, 1,100 firefighters from 270 brigades took on the iconic Sky Tower climb, the highest number of brigades to take part in the Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge's 21-year history. Firefighters from New Zealand, Australia and Canada scaled 1,103 stairs in full firefighting gear, which weighs around 25 kilograms. The fastest time up the tower today was by Ben Smith from Auckland Airport Rescue Fire Service, who completed the climb in 8 minutes and 39 seconds. More than $1.9 million was raised for Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand, supporting patients and their whānau through diagnosis, treatment and recovery. SkyCity has proudly supported and hosted the event since it began in 2005, when the first climb raised $17,500. 'The Challenge has been a huge part of our ability to expand care and cures for blood cancer patients across the country. It has united the firefighting community around our cause for more than two decades, and it's only been possible thanks to the year-on-year support from partners like SkyCity,' says Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand CEO Tim Edmonds. The event was founded by Tony Scott, who has served in both Northland and Auckland Airport Fire Rescue Service since 1988.
Otago Daily Times
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Towering challenge
Aoife Sheehan after a previous Sky Tower Challenge. PHOTO: SUPPLIED Ahead of her third Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge in Auckland this Saturday, Queenstown firey Aoife Sheehan can't wait to bust out another 1103 steps wearing about 25kg of full kit including breathing apparatus. And she's determined to register another personal best. She and Tanya Stone, back for a fourth time, are the only Queenstown brigade vollies in this 21st event which, each year, raises more than $1million for Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand. The 31-year-old — who's also an airport firey and St John first responder — took about 25 minutes in her first year then about 18 minutes last year. "This year I want to get sub-16, sub-15 would be brilliant. "It's my job to be, like, fit and healthy and strong, so, yeah, it's just another marker." Sheehan's been training with a weighted vest up Bob's Peak's Tiki Trail, up the Man St carpark stairs and on a gym StairMaster. She's also got fit doing regular gut-busting combat challenges — she went to the worlds in Tennessee, in the United States, last October, with two other local fireys, and has qualified again to go to Texas, in the US, this October. The challenge is also "a really nice social event". "But then knowing we're fundraising for something that directly affects people I know, it just means the world." Participants, she says, are encouraged to raise about $1700 each. She'd got to about $900 last week ahead of a morning tea fundraiser she's putting on for fellow airport staff this week.
Otago Daily Times
08-05-2025
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
Book recounts cancer journey
Less than 24 hours after a visit to her GP, Invercargill woman Diane Townson found herself in Dunedin Hospital being scheduled for urgent chemotherapy. On June 15, 2023, the 62-year-old mother and grandmother was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) at Southland Hospital. After the shock diagnosis and trip to Dunedin for crucial treatment, Mrs Townson had the presence of mind to keep a diary of the journey she would weather for the next two years. "It was when I tried to find something to read about what was going on, what to expect — I could find nothing." She believed the lack of available information was due to fast-evolving haematology information and practices, which could quickly become outdated. So she used her experiences to write a book that would help others. "I wasn't going to write a book for a start, but I did start the diary. "I'm not the sort of person that writes a book. I think it was therapeutic when I got home. "There were lots of tears at times, and there was lots of laughter. My sons have all written their version of events at times when I was too high on morphine to know what the hell I was doing." The limited-edition book was officially launched last Friday. It was not just patients who walked the cancer journey, she said. "You'll read why I've shared my story — [it's] not just support for me, support for all my family — it's s... for them too, going through this." Her hairdressing business was closed, while her husband, Peter, took 12 months' unpaid leave from his job. "It's been a very emotional time ... There's been a lot of changes." She was pleased the Invercargill Public Library now had two copies of her My Shitty Gap Year available for the public. Dunedin Hospital haematologist Dr Jared Williams' foreword said Mrs Townson took the initial diagnosis well and was only ever focused on fighting the disease. He wrote: "The first round of chemotherapy was tough on Diane physically and mentally. "She developed a life-threatening pneumonia and sepsis requiring a period in the intensive care unit where there was no guarantee she would make it through ... but she did and was all but only interested in pushing on. Diane's determination and grit was inspiration and she was tremendously supported by her husband Peter." Mrs Townson said all the proceeds of her book sales would be donated to the Bone Marrow Cancer Trust and Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand. The publishing cost of the 200 copies was paid for by crowdfunding. Copies can be bought by emailing dianetownson23@
