Heart-Warming Massage Event For Valentine’s Day

MEDIA RELEASE
January 2010

Heart-Warming Massage Event In Time For Valentine’s Day

On 12-13 February, Valentine’s Day weekend, the New Zealand College of Massage will host a two-day charity event, Massage for a Difference.

The event is the brainchild of leukaemia survivor James Roiauri. James developed the fundraising concept with a goal to raise $10,000 for the Leukaemia & Blood Foundation (LBF).

Now a student at the New Zealand College of Massage, James developed the event to combine massage with his passion for inspiring people and encouraging others battling leukaemia and other serious diseases.

James and New Zealand College of Massage students are volunteering their time to provide massages to the public. He is encouraging businesses and the public to treat themselves, a friend, or employees to a massage this Valentine’s Day weekend by calling 09 638 3556 to schedule an appointment.

He already has one community supporter signed up. Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga, MP for Maungakiekie, is attending the event and inviting others to support James.

Wellington born, James is known to local haemotologists and hospital staff as Mr. 100 percent. He says: “When I am fighting for my life, whatever I believe in, I must believe in it 100 percent.”

In 2006, while living in Sydney, James (then 34), was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML). He began his chemotherapy plan immediately.

“My world froze. There were a lot of tears and a lot of anger.” After the initial shock of diagnosis, James says his three fundamental beliefs are what got him through. They are, “In this order, my Heavenly Father, my family and ancestors and the Incredible Hulk.”

He says: “Laughter helps a lot” as he recalls his time in hospital. “It’s important to keep your spirits up and laugh often, even when you don’t feel like it.”

James was later told he would need a bone marrow transplant to survive. When he was well enough, he returned home to New Zealand and the search began for his bone marrow donor. There were no matched donors in his family so the New Zealand Bone Marrow Donor Registry (NZBMDR) — which is administered by the Leukaemia & Blood Foundation — began a search for a Matched Unrelated Donor (MUD).

NZBMDR found a donor for James. James received his life-saving transplant later that year. “I got my MUD-shake” he jokes, believing his bone marrow came from the Incredible Hulk. “Everyday I wake up, I am thankful. I feel blessed to still be here, still standing.”

James is studying at the New Zealand College of Massage and enjoys being able to help people through massage therapy. “My drive is people. Being able to see a client happy and smiling after I have helped them is very rewarding.”

Pru Etcheverry, Executive Director of the LBF, says: “James is an amazing person. His positive attitude and enthusiasm is an inspiration to us all. We encourage New Zealanders to support his fundraising efforts.”

Having had a connection with the LBF since 2007, James says: “The relationship has been awesome.”

All funds generated by Massage for a Difference will go to the Leukaemia & Blood Foundation’s Patient Support Service, providing personalised support for patients and families living with leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma and related blood cancers and conditions.

Please help leukaemia survivor James Roiauri to meet his goal to raise $10,000 for the LBF. Call 0800 15 10 15 or go to: www.leukaemia.org.nz

EVENT INFORMATION
February 12-13, 2010
9.00am - 5.00pm
New Zealand College of Massage
98 Carlton Gore Road, Newmarket

Please call 09 638 3556 to schedule an appointment
The event offers three massage options. You must schedule an appointment to participate.

The massage selections:
• Clothed chair: $20 for a 20 minute session
• Clothed table: $30 for a 30 minute session
• Full body massage: $60 for 60 minute session

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