$100k raised for blood cancer support

28 August 2012

$100k raised for blood cancer support

Staff and shoppers at Farmers stores nationwide have raised $100,000 for Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand.

The funds were raised through Farmers annual ‘Add a Gold Coin’ promotion during Queen’s Birthday Weekend.

Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand is the national organisation dedicated to assisting New Zealanders and their families who are living with blood cancers or a related condition.

The organisation receives no government funding and says ongoing support from Farmers enables it to continue and grow its patient and family Support Services programme.

“Our organisation exists to raise awareness of the incidence and prevalence of blood cancers, distribute information to empower those affected and to fund research that will ultimately find a cure,” says Leukaemia & Blood Foundation executive director Pru Etcheverry.

“We cannot do this work without the support of companies such as Farmers and their customers who give so generously.”

Farmers managing director Rod McDermott says the company continues to support Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand because blood cancers have the potential to affect all New Zealand families.

“Every day an estimated six people are diagnosed with a blood cancer or a related blood condition in New Zealand - it doesn't discriminate by age or ethnicity.

“As a national chain - with stores from Kaitaia to Invercargill - we are well placed to help the organisation achieve its goals by utilising our nationwide reach and distribution to raise funds and increase awareness for the cause,” Mr McDermott says.

Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand patient and family support services has 41 interactions with patients and health professionals every day. Every month it distributes more than 1,000 disease-specific haematology booklets. The organisation also holds 70 education/support group meetings every year.

About Farmers
As the country’s foremost department store, Farmers Trading Company has been outfitting New Zealand women, their families and their homes for more than 100 years.

First established by Robert Laidlaw as a catalogue mail order company in 1909, Farmers is now a thriving, modern department store and New Zealand’s leading fashion and home retailer - combining quality and value with an ever-increasing selection of the best local and international brands.

Proudly New Zealand owned, Farmers operates 55 department stores in rural and city locations around the country, providing shoppers with a wide range of women's, men's and children's fashion, health & beauty, homewares, manchester, appliances, electronics and furniture.

ENDS

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