CANCER RESEARCH CAMPAIGN

Hokitika Guardian, 24 February 1930, Page 3

CANCER RESEARCH

CAMPAIGN

WESTLAND ACTION. On Saturday afternoon at the Hospital Board Rooms, Revell Street, Air S. F. Alarshall, organiser for the Canterbury headquarters of the British Empire Cancer Campaign Society, New Zealand Branch, met heads of local bodies to discuss organisation. There were present, Alessrs J. J. Breeze (Chairman) and T. W. Duff, representing the Hospital Board; G. A. Perry, Alayor of Hokitika, and D. J. Evans, .County Clerk, who apologised for the unavoidable absence of Air Ward, County Chairman. ATr Marshall explained he was just completing a tour of the Coast and had visited all centres, of population from Nelson down, and organisation was being taken up actively. He outlined what was being done and supplied a copy of the general circular which was being distributee! by hea.dqua rters asf ol I ow r s ; .

THE APPEAL. Throughout the whole of New Zealand an appeal is being: made for help in the Empire-wide campaign against cancer. The object of this campaign is to improve the treatment of cancer, to search for the cause .of the . disease, and to organise effective .means for its prevention and cure. This ;is not a subject of'interest only to doctors and hospitals; it is a vital matter affecting, the whole community.. , Cancer is increasing, and annual!., wastes many valuable lives, causes more pain and suffering than any other disease to countless individuals, and is a source of great expense t<; the community. Cancer begins insidiously, but kills none the less surely. One in seven of the population ove the age of forty dies of cancer, and is going to die unless the cause an cure can be found. Research ha--conquered many diseases. We .look, to research to conquer cancer, our worst enemy. '

In face of these facts, it is not too much.to say that money spent in supporting this campaign is as wisely spent as that which we willingly give to effect an insurance against the various risks which menace our life and property. If the results; of a well-sustained campaign against cancer are a*s encouraging as those which have been attained by the organised attack on consumption, we shall have gone far to free the world from what, is at present a cause of incalculable pain and loss.

A donation to the fund means:—

1. That you are helping to free the community from what is now a .source of e-'-nomic waste. ■

2. That you are ensuring for many sufferers better means of cure in an intensely painful and fatal disease.

3. That you are using every means in your, power to ensure that mankind shall in time be freed from the fear of cancer under which they now live.

£25.000 has to be raised in Canterbury, Marlborough, Nelson and Westland districts.

GENERAL ARRANGEMENTS. It was explained to Air Atarshall that- the Hospital Board was the organising unit locally, and it was resolved that Air T. W. Bruce, Secretary to the Board, be appointed- Hon. Secretary and Treasurer to the local fund.

Mr Alarshall agreed to supply 2,509 copies of the appeal and other printed matter, also official receipts books and other stationery.

Tt was resolved that the Mayor convene a public meeting for Thursday evening next at the 1 own Hall, at 8 o’clock, and invite the local medical gentlemen to address the meeting, and stimulate local interest in the project. Mr Marshall expressed pleasure and gratification with the arrangements proposed, and thought the organisation excellent. He stated a large amount of honorary work was being done and expenses kept down. He was giving his services free. He thanked the gentlemen present for their help and co-operaton. All funds raised ii> or received from Westland would he accounted for separately, and the district given credit for all money coming from Westland • a.ml within* boroughs south of the Terein a lean river.