Lunch for Leukaemia

The Leukaemia & Blood Foundation’s (LBF) annual Appeal Week kicked off on 4th November with top local business people and celebrities Hilary Barry and Alison Mau Lunching for Leukaemia at the Villa Maria Estate Winery to show their support for people living with leukaemia.

The LBF’s annual fundraiser encourages people to organise a Lunch for Leukaemia, ranging from simply bringing a packed lunch and donating what you would have spent to the LBF, to holding an elaborate as a themed banquet or even better, getting your boss to take you out for a meal by auctioning them off to the highest bidder.

Hilary Barry, LBF’s new national ambassador, said: “I think having a lunch for Leukaemia Appeal Week is a wonderful idea. So many New Zealanders know a friend, or a friend of a friend who has leukaemia, so what better way to acknowledge their battle than organising a lunch for this great cause?” 

The audience was greatly moved by the words of a leukaemia survivor who spoke of her journey to recovery and the service the LBF helped provide for her.  In particular she highlighted the stress that such a life changing illness placed on her ability to look after her young children who were aged just 6 years and 13 months old at the time of her diagnosis and how she came to rely heavily on both her extended family and the LBF.

Pru Etcheverry, Executive Director of the LBF said; “What a lovely event at a beautiful location. I was thrilled to see so many of our old friends in the form of business partners and great to have such interest from people who were not familiar with the LBF before. It was both moving and uplifting and people left with a real passion to help the LBF.

I was personally delighted to see everyone mix and share stories and get to know each other. It was so great to have Hilary Barry and Ali Mau lunch with us and help make the day such a success. "