 |
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
Record crowd attends 7th Annual Grocery Charity Ball
Once again, an amazing amount of money was raised during the evening to be donated to a cause which probably affects New Zealanders more than just about any other country in the world : the prevention of melanoma. And it was perhaps a poignant point that this year’s beneficiary of the Grocery Charity Ball (the Melanoma Foundation) was championing a cause that probably touched the attendees more than any of the other charitable causes over the seven year history of the event. It saw the crowd open their wallets. And even without the final count complete, this year’s Ball looks set to take the accumulated grants made by the Grocery Charity Ball Trust over the last 7 years to well over $1.5million. That seven-figure sum is a remarkable tribute to the grocery industry, and the quiet, understated way in which it has fund- raised over the years. The Grocery Charity Ball is not something that attracts the attention of the society pages, but for a number of years now the occasion has been New Zealand’s most ‘giving’ charity evening. The Trustees have been humbled by the industry’s continued generosity. As have the beneficiary charities. This year’s ball was emceed by breakfast radio jock and comedian, Jeremy Corbett, who did a great job of keeping guests laughing while he stealthily loosened their credit cards. In what has become a tradition of Grocery Charity Balls, the entertainment was stunning – with slick gigs by the Super Supremes. For the third year running, the Food & Grocery Council took the opportunity to present the Lifetime Achiever Award. Following on from Peter Burton and Peter Mitchell in 2008, and Peter McClure in 2009, the Council broke with a tradition of “Peters” and a surprised Tony Nowell was accoladed on the night. "It’s a privilege to be involved with such an event", said Grocery Charity Ball Trust Chairman Don Graham. “We’re continually blown away by the support the industry gives the Ball." Pledges and donations made on the night will be tallied over the coming weeks – and the final figure to be donated to the Melanoma Foundation will then be known. Watch this website for details! Melanoma benefits from 2010 Ball
The Melanoma Foundation of New Zealand is a registered charitable trust, a young charity formed in 2004, which is working hard to reduce the incidence and dreadful impact of melanoma in New Zealand. New Zealand has the highest melanoma incidence rate in the world. Recent figures put our incidence even ahead of Australia's. Every year around 300 New Zealanders die from melanoma and there are 2000 new diagnoses. The death rates amongst New Zealand men are even increasing! These are shocking statistics for a cancer that is largely preventable. Although most early melanoma is successfully treated through surgery, once melanoma is invasive it is a horrible cancer. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are not proven to assist in treatment of Stage 4 melanoma. Melanoma is taking the lives of many young adults as well as older New Zealanders. The Melanoma Foundation works in three goal areas:
|
|||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
Perhaps it’s a sign that the recession’s easing, or an indication that many thought the Melanoma Foundation was a great cause, that nearly 700 people braved the still winterish weather to enjoy the 2010 Grocery Charity Ball.