When Warren Arnott visited his GP, he thought the lingering cold he'd had for weeks would be easily treated.
Instead, he received devastating news: Stage 4 pancreatic cancer.
As a single father to three children - Ayden (10), April (12), and Marina (15), Warren’s first thought wasn’t about himself. It was about his kids. How could he make the most of the time he had left?
That’s when the Cancer Society stepped in. Thanks to supporters like you, our Cancer Navigator, Sarah Bennett, was there to guide Warren through the overwhelming challenges ahead.
She helped organise practical assistance like grocery vouchers, a Total Mobility Card, and helped him access funded counselling to help him come to terms with his diagnosis.
But what mattered most to Warren was creating memories for his children. With the community’s support, Warren and his kids enjoyed a magical trip to Queenstown, complete with iFLY, the gondola and luge, and even a thrilling ride on the Shotover Jet. Later, they travelled to Milford Sound and the Gold Coast, giving his children experiences they’ll treasure forever.
Thanks to Sarah’s help, his children are also receiving emotional support through Canteen so they can cope with the heartbreaking reality that their dad won’t be with them for long.
One of the most meaningful gifts was a professional family photo shoot.
“It gave me something lasting for my children.”
It is the services the Cancer Society provides that make a meaningful difference to people like Warren.
These services are life changing for many people who are told they have cancer. They include information on how to live well with cancer, accommodation and transport for people needing to travel to Christchurch or Dunedin for treatment, and education about the ways to reduce the risk of developing cancer. All these services help people deal with a cancer diagnosis, giving them options so that they can expect better outcomes.
For Warren, he is one of the 77 New Zealanders who are diagnosed with cancer every day and cancer remains
the leading cause of death in New Zealand. By 2040, diagnoses are expected to double to 52,000 people per year – that’s 142 per day.
Today, he is doing everything he can to maintain his energy and provide a sense of normality for his children. But he can’t do it alone and neither can we.
Your donation will help families like Warren’s create precious memories and receive the practical and emotional support they desperately need.
Every gift makes a difference to people like Warren and his family. Thank you.
Catch up on what's new!
From the latest cancer statistics in Aotearoa to $1 million invested in groundbreaking research, plus beautiful artwork gifted to the Cancer Society and inspiring Relay For Life highlights, there's plenty to explore in our latest newsletter. Click here to read our most recent stories.