This post is tangentially related to Mikaere, so excuse the round about narrative. This here is my oldest friend. Liz. She’s literally the most beautiful person. When we were teens she put herself in harms way to stop me from fleeing from (imagined) warthogs and I ran full tilt into her. When I moved to London, she was one of the first to reach out and helped me navigate the tube (though she laughed at me when I got the lines mixed up). When she left London, I missed her terribly. She came back to be a bridesmaid at my wedding, which meant pushing back her own plans. She’s supported I think every major fundraiser we’ve ever done for NKH. She recorded a video of her reading a story to Kaikai, you know? She’s an amazing friend, is what I’m trying to say.
Liz is also a breast cancer survivor. I’m so grateful, so so so grateful that she is now (and may she always) be cancer free. She wasn’t quiet about it. It was very f*ck cancer and check your breasts, ladies! She worked with Look Good, Feel Better NZ when she was in recovery – sharing her story to support and encourage others in similar positions. They put her face on a Mazda, and honestly, it was the most amazing thing.
She also joined at dragon boating team, one for breast cancer survivors. They paddle in pink. And if you know Liz, you know how ambitious she is with her sports. How much she likes to win, and how much she’ll work, determined to put her best foot forward for her team.
There’s clearly a story to be told here, and a film was made. The Pinkies are BACK! The trailer is hilarious – these women who have lived through breast cancer are amazing, yes. But they’re also just relatable women, who make fun of themselves and each other. It’s mostly only available in NZ, EXCEPT there is a virtual screening.
And here’s the thing – while the NZ screenings support cancer charities, Liz was very clear that with the virtual screening she wanted to support us, and raise money for Joseph’s Goal. For Mikaere. For NKH Research.
It makes me teary to think about, if I’m honest. It makes me feel so seen, and it’s not a “despite her own story” type thing. I think its more we’ve both faced unexpected hardships – different as they are. And we get it. I’m so grateful for Liz, and for her friendship. For her generosity.
So, you’ll join us? For a virtual screening of what is guaranteed to be a great movie. Seriously – watch the trailer at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04p8si7gAYY and tell me you didn’t laugh. At a time of a global pandemic, we could all use a bit of feel good entertainment.
October 30th 2021 – 7pm UK time. It’s USD$10 a ticket (that’s about £7.40), of which half will go to Joseph’s Goal.
Tickets available at: www.fanforcetv.com/programs/pinkies #linkInBio
Please join us – you can view from anywhere and it’s going to be a great one.
#myfriendsAreBetterThanYourFriends #ThePinkiesAreBack #pinkies #fuckCancer #nonketotichyperglycinemia #nkh #nkhawareness #ifhnkh #metabolicdisorder #glycineencephalopathy #nkhcansuckit #someoneFundACure #complexmedicalneeds
