I saw my Dad today

Even after four years of his absence on Earth, it's not as strange as it may sound. I often see him reflected in my siblings, nieces, and nephews, in his poetry and photography, and always in conversations with my Pop, Dad's Dad.

I’ve been seeing him a lot lately too.

But today I saw him in a most unexpected place, an Auckland shopping mall.

As part of my job, I am privileged to work alongside several charities, ensuring their fundraising activities are conducted professionally and in compliance with various rules and regulations.

Some of you may choose to switch off at this point, but please stay with me – this story is pretty special.

Today, I was politely approached by one of our charity's fundraisers in the mall. He asked me if I knew the number of people diagnosed with cancer every day. I replied "far too many’' He asked if I knew of anyone impacted by cancer. I said "yes". He continued, “One in three people in NZ will have a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime”.

I know of two people this week alone.

He then shared about the work and services that the Cancer Society provide for individuals and families impacted by cancer. About the life-saving research they’re doing, and the support services they have such as nurse visits into homes, transport for treatment, meals, counselling support and accommodation for those needing treatment away from home. Dad and our family received much of this help.

I then noticed a pamphlet on the table next to us and picked it up. I read over the support services that I’d just been told about and asked to consider donating towards.

Then I saw my Dad.

Right there in the middle of the Cancer Society pamphlet!

Throughout Dad’s whole life journey - living with cancer, he was a big supporter and advocate for the Cancer Society and gratefully benefitted from their services. My family continues to support the Cancer Society in remembrance of Dad but also to ensure every family impacted by Cancer can have access to these vital services too.

On another work visit recently, I had the unexpected privilege of being given a tour of the newly opened - state-of-the-art Canterbury Cancer Centre. The centre is a ground-breaking facility, serving as the first integrated cancer support hub for New Zealanders from across the South Island Te Wai Pounamu. It provides a range of comprehensive services, including 50 guest accommodation rooms, primarily for those travelling from out of town to receive cancer treatments in Christchurch. They say it’s the loveliest hotel in Christchurch that you never want to have to stay at.

My Dad was first diagnosed with cancer when he was 19.

Living in rural South Canterbury at the time, his only way to access treatment was to ride his motorbike to Christchurch, receive his treatment and then ride home. He did this often and, on his return, would try to make it as far as Ashburton before pulling over to take a rest or to be sick from the effects of the treatment, before getting back on his bike to continue to Makikihi. Back then, there were no supported transport options, or accommodation available to him.

When I visited the Canterbury Cancer Centre, it was amazing to see these services now available to those in Canterbury and the wider South Island. While there I learned that all their funding had gone towards providing the practical tangible things their guests would need in the facility (obviously and rightly so) and they were unable to budget for ‘pretty’ things on the walls or artwork.

I instantly knew we might be able to help.

For those who knew Dad, he came alive when he was out in the wilderness, especially in the remote areas of Canterbury and Otago. A large collection of his photographs showcases these beautiful areas. As a family, we have been wondering what more we can do with his photos.

After visiting the CCC, I have this amazing feeling that his photos belong in this space where they can continue to bring awe, comfort, reflection, and solace.

We have since made an offer (which has been gratefully accepted) for the CCC to access as many of Dad’s images as they would like to print and display throughout the facility. We feel extremely privileged to offer this opportunity, as it perfectly aligns with what we believe Dad would want us to do.

For now, we are working closely with the CCC to carefully select and match appropriate images, sizes, and framing options for specific areas. Once we have that figured out, we'll calculate the overall cost. However, cost is not our main focus here.

We just want to help meet a need where it’s at.

If you would like to be part of this support with our family and contribute towards printing some of Dad's pictures for the centre, please reach out to me for more info. Alternatively, share your support directly with your local Cancer Society either in remembrance of someone you love or to ensure those impacted by cancer have access to vital services.

For now, I sit with gratitude, humour, and appreciation that my Dad continues to show up and have a powerful impact on my life and that his legacy continues to live on. www.andrewnorton.co.nz