Patient News
June 2015
Hello everyone
In the last newsletter we featured the dove house volunteers and their invaluable contribution to the smooth running of the
service. This month we want to acknowledge the work of the volunteers in the Commercial Division, who are often very much
in the background and sometimes feel a bit undervalued. As you may be aware, there are 6 dove shops that support our
organisation. Glen Innes (Mayfair Place and Apirana Avenue), St Heliers (St Heliers Bay Road), Panmure (Queens Road) and
more recently Remuera (Remuera Road) and Epsom (Queen Mary Avenue). Dove House receives no Government Funding
and relies entirely on the income from our shops to provide over 95% of our annual operating budget and in turn, the
completely free dove house service. The shops rely on the generosity of donations, firstly of quality second hand items and
especially, the donation of time gifted by our many volunteers working in the shops and very busy Distribution Centre.
I know you join me in thanking our volunteers across the organisation and please if you visit a dove shop, say a thank you to
those working there. They will appreciate it.
(Articles for donation can always be left at dove house).
Keep warm, not long till the shortest day!
Trish, Lynne and Dora
THE ORCHID GROUP
by dove house roving reporter Lawrence Copestake
The Orchid Group was set up 12 years ago to provide moral and practical support for breast cancer
patients undergoing chemotherapy when little else was available. The group has evolved into supporting
all cancer patients, men and women, living with advanced disease and undergoing repeat chemotherapy
and radiation treatment. Senior facilitator, Volunteer, Paula Clark, in fact comments that nowadays the
group seems to have less breast cancer patients attending and a wider range of patients with other
cancers such as lung and bowel. However, all varieties of cancer have been represented within the group.
The name “Orchid” was selected for the group at the start because the flower is one of nature’s most
appealing and is very long lasting – reflecting the aims of this highly successful support group. Paula says
that it is a group that embraces variety and change. The facilitators are caring and empathetic but are
also committed to the concept that “Laughter is Spirit for the Soul”. The Orchid Group is the group that
claims to have the most fun and is far from being the quietest bunch that use the lovely Dove House
Facility. (There is no substance to the rumour that management have requested soundproofing in next
year’s budget!)
Paula says that the warm friendly environment enjoyed within the Orchid Group often results in the
patients building friendships and helping each other with medical visits and errands outside of the
weekly meetings. (The ladies are also happy to help empower “needy menfolk” whose organisational
skills may be on a different level!)
The future for The Orchid Group? Well it seems crazy not to broaden the scope of such a successful
formula. So now, Paula, Alicja, Cushla and Ana are extending the group to include newly diagnosed
cancer patients, those undergoing chemotherapy and radiation therapy for the first time, to support and
help them in dealing with the side effects and the cancer itself.
Paula – with the numbers of men attending Dove House increasing almost by the month, have you
considered a more bloke friendly name for the group? Pardon? What? Oh you have to go right now and
prepare for your patients. Oh I see. Maybe next time then or maybe not!
The Orchid Group is on every Tuesday Morning at dove house from 10.30am-12noon
Heart Centered Music
“We all know how it feels when we hear music we like. We know that feeling we get listening to the sounds in nature. You’ll have noticed how we choose
soothing music in the therapy rooms for example, because of the calming properties necessary for body therapies to be effective. And now, starting this
week, sound and music therapy are on the widening spectrum of therapies available at Dove House to bring you more of those feelings which have such
comforting and uplifting effects on body, mind and heart. And heart is what Maria’s sessions are all about. You just can’t miss the easy approach she brings
to Music Therapy – it just draws you in. On my first session I was silently hoping I wouldn’t have to sing and embarrass myself – funny how we have these
opinions about what we can and can’t do! During the next 6 sessions I found out so much more about the sounds that surround our lives, what has meaning,
the joy of expression, and most importantly the profound healing effects we all began to notice about ourselves and each other. Music therapy is a most
welcome addition to the spectrum of therapies we have on offer – I hope you come along and experience it for yourself, warmly, Meg ”
Meg Logan is a Therapist at dove house.
The Heart Centered Music Group runs every Thursday from 1.30-3.00pm at dove house until 25th June.
TAKE A BREAK PROGRAMME
Take a Break is a dove house programme which offers patients and/or family the opportunity to experience a change from their normal surroundings, get some
relief from the rigours of treatment and the never ending round of doctors and specialist appointments.
We are able to offer this programme to patients and their families because of the generosity of people in our community who have made their holiday home
available to us. We currently have four places we can offer.
Understandably, this programme is most sought after during the summer months. To date we have been able to send 20 patients and their families to ‘take a
break’ at one of the holiday homes that have been made available for us to use.
If you would like to participate in this programme either by making your holiday home available or by making a financial contribution to the costs involved in this
programme please contact Lynne by phone on 5754555 or email her at [email protected]
Epi Hausi and her husband Maka and their family enjoyed “A Break” on the Coromandel.
Pam Beehre and friends enjoying “A Break” on Waiheke
Organised by BNI Newton, (BNI stands for Business Networking International, and consists of groups of small
business owners who help each other) the First Annual BNI Trivial Pursuit Fundraiser marked the beginning of
Hospice Awareness Week. Through entry fees, a silent auction and a raffle, this event managed to raise just over
$1,000 for Dove House. A Big Thank You to all involved!!
L-R Anne Comito, Janine Ewan, Aaron
Ward, Julie McCarthy
Chris Ashton and Ria Vandervis
Brad Jones (2nd from right) and his winning team
Graham Southwell and Aaron Ward
CANCER INFORMATION—The Cancer Society of New Zealand provides information on types of cancer, diagnosis, methods of treatment and advice
on living with cancer. For more information please ring the Cancer Information helpline 0800CANCER (226 237) or www.cancernz.org.nz
Dove house presents
Eating Well During The Cancer
Journey
Auckland Support Groups - June 2015
Julia Sekula and her team of Rachel and
Lyres will discuss general healthy eating during treatment and dealing with the side effects
Auckland Myeloma Support Group - Tuesday 16th June 6.00-8.00pm
at LBC National Office, 6 Claude Road, Epsom, Auckland
Auckland Haematology Support Group - Thursday 18th June 6.00-8.00pm at
LBC National Office, 6 Claude Road, Epsom, Auckland
Manukau Haematology Support Group - Tuesday 23rd June 10-12noon
Te Maunga room Friendship House, 20 Putney Way, Manukau Centre
Pukekohe Haematology Support Group - Wednesday 24th June 10-12 noon
Pukekohe Anglican Church, 43 Queen Street, Pukekohe
On Thursday 25th June at dove house from 10.30—12.00p.m.
Please reply to dove house Reception on 575 4555
Amitabha Hospice
Family, caregivers and friends welcome.
Refreshments will be provided.
Please RSVP by Friday 12th June by either calling 0800 15 10 15
option 2 or you can email [email protected]
You are warmly invited to join us at our next Movie Night
NERINE GREGERSEN
“Blessings” a movie about the Tsoknyi Nanchen nuns of Tibet is narrated by Richard Gere
and features Tsoknyi Rinpocje III. Jetsuma Tenszin Palmo and Tsultrim Alione also feature.
We had a wonderful session with Nerine
Gregersen on May 25th, if you would like a copy
of the talk please contact Trish on
575 4555 or [email protected]
What: ‘Blessings’ The Tsoknyi Nanchen Nuns of Tibet
When: Thursday 25th June at 7pm
Where: Training Room at Amitabha Hospice Service
Entry: Free for all, DONATIONS MOST WELCOME
Running time: 90 mins
RSVP: Yes Please, as seats are limited.
Amitabha Hospice, 44 Powell Street, Avondale, Auckland 1026 Tel: 09 828 3321
Art and Healing Table Exhibition—Thursday 25th June
You are invited
to a celebration featuring the
creative work of the
Cancer Society Free Talks
The Cancer Society Auckland now runs two
Coping with Cancer Free talks in the community to learn strategies for coping with a
cancer diagnosis. These are for adults with
cancer and their supporters. They include
topics such as coping with emotions, communicating about cancer, sleep, stress management

Totara Health Services, Level 2
Meeting Room, 1 McCrae Way, New
Lynn, Auckland.

Held on Wednesday (monthly)
10.00—11.30am, upcoming dates are:
17 June, 15 July, 19 Aug, 16 Sep, 21
Oct, 18 Nov and 16 Dec.

Auckland Botanic Gardens, Logan
Campbell Building, 102 Hill Road,
next to the Southern Motorway,
Art and Healing Table
at dove house.
Please join us Thursday June 25th
from 5-7pm.
Refreshments will be served.
RSVP no later than June 22nd for catering to
reception on 575 4555 or email
[email protected]
A reminder that dove house is collecting any unwanted
DVD’s that you may have and would like to donate to us for
our DVD Library.
Manurewa, Auckland.

Held on Wednesday (monthly) from
10.00—11.30am, upcoming dates are:
1 July, 5 Aug, 2 Sep, 7 Oct, 4 Nov
and 2 Dec
No bookings required, walk ins welcome. For
further information please phone
0800 CANCER (226 237)
Mark in your Diary now…….
Event
Date being held
RSVP
Monday’s 11.30am to 12.15pm at dove house.
Just
come!
Monday’s 10.30am to 11.30am at dove house.
Call
Reception
575 4555
to book.
Orchid Group.
Tuesday’s 10.30am to 12 noon at dove house.
A support group for patients both female and male living with a
life threatening illness
Morning Tea provided
Just
come!
Art & Healing Table. Melissa and Yoke assist you
Wednesday’s 10.30am to 2.30pm at dove house. Just
Chair Yoga with Edit.
Edit is a Registered Yoga
Alliance Teacher and believes in safe and sustainable
yoga, helping patients by tailoring to your abilities and
needs.
Journaling with therapist Meg Logan.
dove house therapist Meg Logan brings her background
and therapeutic training in mindfulness and journaling to
these small personal groups. A great idea to follow on
from Journaling with Chair Yoga. . .
NB: This group is available to anyone on any Monday.
to learn the healing power of expressing yourself through (Light morning tea and sandwiches supplied)
art. It’s a time when you can have a play with something
new, return to a familiar “art place” or just come, meet
others, watch and hang out!
Bereavement Morning Tea. This is an
opportunity for you to meet with others to share your
experience of loss and to gain support and
encouragement from people who ‘know what it is like’.
Third Thursday of each month at dove house.
10.30am to 12noon. Next one on 18th June.
Morning tea is served
come!
RSVP by
15 Jun to
Reception
575 4555.
This group is facilitated by Dr Graeme Kidd and Graham
Southwell counsellor at dove house.
10.30am to 12 noon on the first Wednesday of
every month at dove house.
Next one on 1st July
RSVP to
Reception
575 4555.
Finding Stillness Within:
Wednesday’s 2.00-2.45pm at dove house
RSVP to
Reception
575 4555.
Men Living with Cancer Group.
An opportunity to step aside from the busyness of life
and join with others for a time of peace and quiet.
(for carers, relatives or patients)
A light meal will be provided
RSVP to
Wednesday 29th July at dove house from
6.30pm entitled ‘Navigating The Health System’ Reception
575 4555.
A light supper will be provided.
“Eating Well When You Have Cancer”
Thursday 25th June at 10.30am
Men’s Evening
Julia Sekula and her team from the Nutrition and Dietetic
Clinic will be here.
Reiki Workshop
An opportunity to learn how to give Reiki to yourself
Liz Currey—Reiki Master is available to teach patients at
her home for a nominal charge. Please ask Trish or Dora if
you are interested in this.
Thursday’s at dove house from 1.30 to 3.00pm
An opportunity to connect with others around music and finishing on 25th June
Heart Centered Music Group
relaxation and to engage in reminiscence and life
reflection through music.
RSVP to
Reception
575 4555
RSVP to
Reception
575 4555.