James & Valerie

Valerie Vili shows real heart at charity event

On 12-13 February, the New Zealand College of Massage hosted a two-day charity event, Massage for a Difference, helping to just over $8,900 for the for the Leukaemia & Blood Foundation.

Held during the Valentine’s weekend, the event was the brainchild of leukaemia survivor James Roiauri. James organised the event with a goal to raise $10,000 for the LBF.

The event saw over 177 supporters including sporting celebrities and a local community leader, get behind the event by booking massages and demonstrating support.

On the Friday, the day before her first competition of the year, New Zealand shot putter and Olympic champion Valerie Vili gave her time to attend Massage for a Difference to show her support for James. And on Saturday, both netball legend, Silver Fern and coach, Yvonne Willering and Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga, MP for Maungakiekie, attended the event to show support.
 
Valerie says: “I am grateful for the opportunity to support the event; I’ve had some amazing people help me along the way and I know how important it is to help others when I can.”
 
Now a student at the New Zealand College of Massage (NZCM), James developed the event to combine massage with his passion for inspiring people and encouraging others battling leukaemia and other blood cancers. James and nearly 40 NZCM students volunteered their time to provide massages to the public.

Pru Etcheverry, Executive Director of the LBF, says: “We are humbled by James and inspired by his positive attitude and enthusiasm. Raising awareness is critical; that’s been further highlighted by the recent release of the Ministry of Health report of cancer projections showing that the blood cancers, particularly lymphoma, are projected to continue to rise.” 

Help James get to $10,000... James is still trying to get to the $10,000 mark. To help him get there, the New Zealand Breakers kindly donated a signed signlet to be auctioned on Trademe.