World Child Cancer

Goodbye New Zealand

worldchildcancer — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 09:54:59 +0000

I leave New Zealand tomorrow morning. We made a quick visit to Wellington today after spending two days in Martinborough. New Zealand is so lucky having so much space, something that they must preserve for as long as possible. As well as space there is also a feeling of limited crime activity. I thought the picture of the Martinborough police station illustrated this point very well. In Martinborough we also had the opportunity to do a bit(a lot) of wine tasting – superb. Wellington I saw from a scenic tour bus which was done extremely well. Having a capital with only 480,000 inhabitants is such a privilege.

Gordon

Martinborough Police Station

Wonderful New Zealand

worldchildcancer — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 08:24:51 +0000

Wai-o-Tapu

Following such a wonderful conference organised by SIOP, Mary and I decided to do a bit of touring around the North Island New Zealand. This moring we left Lake Taupo and prior to travelling to Hawkes Bay we decided to visit Wai-O-Tapu a geothermal park. After walking around the park I bumped in Anders Wollmen from Sweden, Val Figliuzzi from Canada, Simon Lala from New Zealand, and Kenneth Dollman from South Africa, all members of ICCCPO. New Zealand has a land area 10% greater than Great Britain and a population of less than 10% of the UK so meeting people that I know was quite amazing.

I have only been in New Zealand for a week but I can realy understand why people want to live here. Gordon

The Final Evening

worldchildcancer — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 10:04:33 +0000

What a lovely evening! Child cancer parent groups from all over the world gathered together for some traditional Kiwi hospitality tonight. I was on a table with Japanese, Korean, Indonesian and Bangladesh parents of child cancer patients. It’s fascinating to hear how things are done in different parts of the world and how we can all learn from each other.

Our lovely Project Leader from Accra

worldchildcancer — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 06:42:50 +0000

Dr Renner and Gordon

Dr Lorna Renner, our project leader from Accra, has travelled all the way from Ghana to the attend the conference in Auckland. She’s speaking on Sunday about her work improving survival rates across the whole of Ghana by establishing satellite centres and improving training. She met Gordon, our Chairman, for the first time this evening at the SIOP Opening Ceremony. The conference is a great opportunity for World Child Cancer to get medics together from all over the globe to discuss current projects and develop new ones!

Doc Mae!

worldchildcancer — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 08:31:43 +0000

I met Dr Mae Dolendo today – finally! She is the project leader of our programme in The Philippines and we’ve been emailing each other for over two years. It was great to finally meet her. She’s as inspirational and passionate as her emails suggest. I could have spoken to her for hours but as we were in the middle of a tour of the Auckland Ronald McDonald House as part of a reception organised by the international parent support group, ICCCPO. Mae is speaking on Sunday along with another of our project leaders, Dr Lorna Renner from Ghana, and I’m looking forward to hearing their presentations.

World Child Cancer and SIOP

worldchildcancer — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 09:46:31 +0000

Our Trustees Meeting in New Zealand

I arrived in Auckland at 4pm yesterday for the SIOP conference and have managed to get some sleep before the Board Meeting at 8.30am this morning. Seven of our Trustees will be attending the meeting. They have travelled from all over the world – the UK, US, Netherlands, Hong Kong, South Africa – to attend the world’s largest annual child cancer conference. I’m looking forward to meeting Dr Lorna Renner from Ghana for the second time and Dr Mae Dolendo from The Philippines for the first time. They are both speaking at the conference about their work and how World Child Cancer is helping children in their countries.

Next step – Auckland

worldchildcancer — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 08:31:41 +0000

Beautiful Scotland

With the half marathon behind me I yesterday tested my physical endurance yet again. I did some hill walking in Scotland which involved walking at least 10 miles on rough terrain and 1000ft elevation. The views were spectacular. I now require to focus my time on preparation for attending a Paediatric Oncology conference in Auckland which commences in two weeks. I already have lots of important meetings scheduled. World Child Cancer needs to encourage more people to take a more proactive interest in what we do. There is so much more we require to do. Any ideas would be welcomed.

Gordon

I did it! Thank you…

worldchildcancer — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 16:40:21 +0000

Gordon at the Rpyal Parks Half Marathon

Thank you all for supporting me. I completed the half marathon in just under 2hrs 20mins. All went well apart from a strained calf that took place around mile 5. I was motivated to keep going by one generous donor who offered me £10 for every minute I achieved under 3hrs. The £400 was worth the pain. In total I estimate that I have raised £45,000. It is not too late to add to this total. So many children are going to benefit. Due to the unique arrangements we have with our medical twinning partners the value that will be directly invested in the World Child Cancer projects will exceed the money that I have raised .

www.justgiving.com/g-morrison

Gordon

The Final Week

worldchildcancer — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 07:57:32 +0000

Children's cancer ward in Bangladesh

On Friday I finished an 11mile run, my last long run before the 9^th Oct. I will do a 6 mile run today and then rest until the big day. Fundraising is going extremely well but I would appreciate that bit of additional support. Since 1^st August I had scheduled to run 150 miles in training. I have already exceeded this through some additional and longer runs. My online sponsorship pages can be found by visiting www.justgiving.com/g-morrison

One of our next projects is going to be in Bangladesh a country I visited 3 years ago. Bangladesh has some enormous challenges to face up to – our involvement will give children with no hope an opportunity to look positively into the future. World Child Cancer’s most recent Trustee is Louise Soanes. Louise is a highly regarded children’s and young person’s cancer nurse working at Royal Marsden. Louise has always maintained an active interest in the work we do. Louise your support and involvement is very much appreciated.

Gordon

A Family Affair!

worldchildcancer — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 10:28:29 +0000

Gordon, Mary and Sophie

Less than two weeks to go until the big day and my training is going very well. This morning I managed a 7 mile run and considering I took part in the World Child Cancer Orange Autumn Challenge yesterday, I didn’t feel too bad! Yesterday’s walk was a great success and we had approximately 45 people walking along the River Thames raising funds for the Charity. I was joined by my grandaughter Sophie and Mary my wife. It was a beautiful day and enjoyed by everyone that took part. One of our walkers was Anu Vedi. Anu has been a Trustee of World Child Cancer since the middle of 2010 and has been very proactive in introducing World Child Cancer to his extensive contact list through breakfast meetings. This has been such a great success that we have decided to introduce a series of Breakfast Club meetings, hosted by Anu throughout the year. Anu and his wife Shobna have also been regular attendees and participants at our fundraising events and we thank them both.

Don’t forget to support my fundraising efforts if you can… www.worldchildcancer.org/g-morrison or www.crowdrise.com/gmorrison

Gordon