Karaka School teacher on a mission to raise funds to fight gut cancers
A Karaka School teacher who has lost at least four family members to bowel and stomach cancer is on a mission to raise money for The Gut Foundation.
Kim Sutton is preparing to bike, hike and raft 243 km from the West Coast to Christchurch in just six days, to raise $2000 for the organisation supporting people who suffer from gut cancers.
Sutton is an adventurer by nature - she has done nine of the 10 great walks and has the tenth one scheduled for December this year.
But since deciding to take on this challenge for the Gut Foundation, she’s been on a new journey, learning just how far the cancer spread throughout her family.
“My mum's dad passed away from bowel cancer when my mum was 20 years old so unfortunately didn't get to meet him,” she said.
“Through doing this fundraising and talking to family members I've found out more have been affected by it.
“It's made my connection to people who have suffered from the various gut cancers even stronger and more meaningful.”
Sutton has managed to raise $870 so far.
Gut cancers include oesophageal, stomach, liver, gallbladder, bile duct, pancreatic, and bowel cancers.
Collectively, gut cancers are the most common type of cancer in New Zealand, with more than 5,700 new cases diagnosed each year. Sadly, more than half of those diagnosed will not survive beyond 5 years.
To donate, visit: coast-to-coast-challenge.raisely.com...
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A reminder this hunting season
As thousands of hunters are making their plans for autumn – the Roar – recreational firearms groups are urging hunters to always be 100% sure of their targets.
Te Tari Pureke - Firearms Safety Authority NZ, which chairs the Recreational Firearms Users Group, has begun a public information campaign reminding hunters everywhere of Rule #4 of the Firearms Safety Code: to identify their target beyond all doubt.
Director Communities and Corporate, Mike McIlraith, says there is an estimated 50,000-60,000 New Zealanders involved in big game animal hunting each year, and the Roar is the key event for many hunters each year.
“The Roar is a fantastic time of year for hunters to get out into the hills after a trophy animal but hunting safely and making sure everyone gets home in one piece, still must be the most important goal of every trip,” says Mike McIlraith.
“The consequences of not fully identifying your target beyond all doubt can be catastrophic. Our message to hunters is a really simple one: If you are not sure, then don’t shoot.”
Mike McIlraith says while hunting fatalities are thankfully rare, research has shown that misidentification of the target is the largest firearms related risk to New Zealand deer hunters, and 80% of the time this involves members of the same hunting group.
The Authority says hunters should not feel pressured to take a shot: “Instead, hunters should take the time to analyse their target, wait and see if it is a hind or stag, how old is the animal, how many points does its antlers have? Identifying your target means never firing at sound, shape, colour or movement alone.”
Mike McIlraith says good hunters will slow down, and run through some simple mental checks:
- Can I see the whole animal, or could this be another hunter?
- Where are my hunting companions – could this be them or someone else?
- How much of the animal can you see, if it is a hind or stag, how old is the animal, how - many points does its antlers have?
“Taking a little extra time to identify your target and check the firing zone is the key to safer hunting. No meat or no trophy is better than no mate,” he says.
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