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A major part of The Professionals commitment to the community is our ongoing sponsorship of the Child Cancer Foundation - a non profit support network for children with cancer and their families.
When a child with cancer is hospitalized, the Foundation assists by helping the entire family stay with and support the child. The Foundation does this by ensuring that the families have a place to stay, transport, personal time and financial assistance. To encourage the spread of information in the fight against cancer, the Foundation sponsors visits by overseas specialists and also supports research into the causes of childhood cancer.
When a child is diagnosed with cancer, the Child Cancer Foundation is there to provide practical and emotional support to families. Support services include:
- support and information for families throughout their journey with cancer
- financial assistance toward meals, transportation and accommodation for children receiving treatment and visiting family members
- parent support groups and support for all families including bereaved families
- education initiatives and scholarships to assist children with cancer
- access to holiday homes to allow families some special time together
The Foundation receives no government funding and therefore relies heavily on sponsorship and the goodness of the public.
The Professionals have been proud supporters of the Child Cancer Foundation since 1995. During this time, the Professionals have raised over $3 million. This $3 million has:
- purchased and maintained two Sunshine Lodge Holiday Homes, in Taupo and Queenstown
- purchased a Family Place in Wellington
- helped to purchase a Family Place in Auckland
- helped to purchase a National Centre housing the Child Cancer Foundation
- helped the associated charity CanTeen
The Sunshine Lodges give children and their families coping with cancer an opportunity to take a holiday, relax, and spend time together to recuperate and enjoy themselves in a stress free environment.
The Family Places, located near the hospitals, give family and friends of children living with cancer a restful environment, away from the hospital atmosphere, to meet others facing the same trauma and gather information on issues of childhood cancer. It also gives children living with cancer and their siblings an environment to relax and play.
 The Professionals are very proud of what we have been able to achieve for the Child Cancer Foundation and look forward to continuing the support and providing more well used facilities.
Quote from visitor to Sunshine Lodge: "After 5 months treatment Hone was the most happiest and I will never forget the look of excitement in his eyes when we entered [Sunshine Lodge]."
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