It is
estimated that at least one in four Kiwi children and adolescents will
experience a significant mental health issue.
“It’s an
epidemic facing our kids; impacting their health, learning, relationships and
development. Once again, we’re grateful for Rotary’s role in
helping us meet a clear child health research need,” said Vicki Lee, Cure Kids
CEO and Waiheke Island Rotarian.
In 1999, Downtown Auckland Rotarian,
Dr Bill Daniels, was concerned at the lack of specialist help for children and
young people with mental illnesses. He floated the idea of establishing a
research Chair to address the issue, and by 2009 the RCDA raised $170,000.
While this wasn’t enough to fund the Chair, the funds were applied to support
the important work of the Werry Centre for Child and Adolescent Mental Health
at the University of Auckland.
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All
Black Cory Jane with Cure Kids Ambassador Connor Lehan
who lives with ADHD and
Asperger’s Syndrome
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Recognising the clear need for more
research in this area, Cure Kids embarked on a fundraising campaign engaging a
small number of motivated donors who shared this vision and generously provided
the funding needed to establish the Chair. The generous donors are Rod
and Patricia Duke and family, the Hugh Green Foundation, and support from New
Zealand Rugby.
The Chair
will investigate insights into causes, develop research-led treatments,
prevention strategies and improve outcomes for kids and their families dealing
with mental health conditions.
Ms Lee
noted that “There are few of us who don’t know a young person who has been
challenged with mental health issues. This can manifest in a
variety of ways - ADHD, autism, eating disorders, depression and anxiety to
name a few. We are determined to make a difference for these children and
we are now focused on building a $2 million endowment fund to support the
additional costs of delivering research projects to be led by the Chair.”
Having the
support of Rotary has always been pivotal to the success of Cure Kids and we
are again asking for Rotary’s help as we look for further donors to help build
this fund. Please contact Philanthropy and Fundraising Dellwyn Stuart at
Cure Kids on 09-370 0290 with any questions or ideas.
Thank you
again for helping improve the lives of kiwi kids.
For more information
visit www.curekids.org.nz
Additional side bar information:
Established
by Rotary in NZ in 1971 as the Child Health Research Foundation, Cure Kids has
to date raised $36 million for research into child health.
Rotary has
been a passionate supporter of children’s health through the ongoing support of
Cure Kids’ fundraising activities. Cure Kids’ annual appeal – Red
Nose Day – goes from strength to strength with Rotary’s active
involvement. This year it will take place on August 21 and you’ll be
hearing more about this year’s appeal soon. Call Fundraiser – Campaigns
Kelly Douglas at Cure Kids on 021 110 2161 with any Red Nose enquiries.
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Included in April
Rotary Down Under
magazine
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