Support ready when it is needed most

Rotorua man John Mayhew, who has bowel cancer, encourages people to donate generously this Daffodil Day. Photo / Stephen Parker

John Mayhew knows more than most about how important the Cancer Society is to those going through cancer, or supporting someone through cancer.

The Rotorua man has bowel cancer, and said the Cancer Society had helped him "in a hundred ways," which were only made possible because of community donations.

He said the Cancer Society staff had been extremely helpful to him and his wife Pamela, providing care, support and friendship during stressful times.

"Just after having an operation in April, the first thing I got was a visit from the liaison nurse."

Mr Mayhew lived in the Cancer Society's Lion Lodge for five weeks from Monday to Friday to be able to get to appointments in Hamilton earlier this year.

Mrs Mayhew was able to stay at the lodge as a support person and accompanied Mr Mayhew to his consultations and appointments.

They said their stay at the lodge saw people supporting each other and making friends during a very stressful and painful time. "It was incredible. You are treated as part of the family - the staff, the volunteers and all the cancer patients. Everything is over there and you just have to press a button, a nurse arrives.

"The lodge is so well appointed. There were three meals a day and a free taxi to the hospital for your appointment."

He said cancer patients went through a lot of pain.

"Speaking to people and knowing people and what they go through, they really do suffer with those cancers. We know what some people were like over there - they were in tears."