Interest in walk

Press, 10 May 1979, Page 16

Interest in walk

Sir, — I thank Teresa Thompson, Walk for Life P.R.O. (April 26), for her reply but feel that she has missed the point of my letter. To gain access to the equipment she mentions one appears to require external signs to prove that such tests are necessary, or a very perceptive general practitioner. With cancer, a patient can be sick for a very long time for no obvious reason. In many cases, by the time external signs appear it is too late. I wonder is it apathy — or futility? Hard experience was my teacher. As a point of interest: what does the Cancer Society do? What are its aims and functions in the community? What are the criteria for membership? — Yours, etc., W. MARGARET DENNIS. April 28, 1979.

[Mr D. J. Craze, secretary of the Canterbury-Westland Division of the Cancer Society of New Zealand, replies: “The Cancer Society of New Zealand is a voluntary non-profit-making association of people from all walks of life who have banded to fight cancer. It maintains contact with anti-

cancer organisations overseas. It is the only society in New Zealand which engages in cancer research. The basic aim of the society is, by means of research, to find a solution to the problem of cancer from an understanding of the disease. It therefore promotes research and engages in research. It includes in research clinical investigation, epidemiology or any activity to bring about better methods of diagnosis and treatment or to seek for causative factors which could permit the control or elimination of the disease. It also supports the training of cancer researchers through fellowships. For this reason the society has a research advisory committee comprising an expert member from each division. No research may be undertaken by any division without its approval. Other aims are education of the medical profession and of the public and patient welfare. Membership is open to any person or corporate body and the current annual subscription is $2.00. A fully paid-up membership is available to any person or corporate body on payment of the sum of $20.00. Current membership of the Canterbury Westland Division is 86 fully paid members and 101 ordinary members.”]