Sometimes bringing joy is simply a matter of making a few calls, organising a few generous people and setting to work.
Jo McKenzie-McLean is fighting the big fight this year and coming home from a devastating oncology appointment last week could have been a time for Jo to break down and scream, instead, she was smiling from ear to ear, heart filled with gratitude and keen to rest herself in her newly tidied garden under the shade of a tree sure to protect her from the sun as she endures chemotherapy.
Jo was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer in January which has now metastasised to her liver, a recent scan has now shown spots on her lung.
Eighteen Cromwell Rotarians and friends of Rotarians turned out to Jo’s place amidst dreadful weather and rolled up their sleeves to transform a quarter acre section into a peaceful sanctuary.
“If I could do cartwheels, I would. I am so grateful for the work these people have done, I’m quite overwhelmed and simply can’t thank everyone enough.
I have to avoid the sun due to the chemotherapy treatment; however, I now have the shade of a tree to help me as I look out onto a lovely garden no longer overrun with weeds,” Jo says.
Jo and her family wish to sincerely thank Marie from the Cancer Society of New Zealand, the hard-working Rotarians and their friends from Rotary Club of Cromwell for their immense effort.
The generosity and kindness of people continues to keep me going during these bloody tough times. ‘Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
