Wahs fever kicked in when One New Zealand Warriors Kurt Capewell, Morgan Gannon, Kayliss Fatialofa and Jett Cleary dropped in at Starship’s Blood and Cancer Centre on Wednesday to support the NRL’s ‘Kick for a Cause’ campaign in the fight against kids’ cancer.
Together with Warriors Community Foundation staff, the players visited Ward 27B where children from throughout New Zealand come for treatment.
Capewell, Gannon, Fatialofa and Cleary spent time mixing with patients, their families, care givers and Starship staff as well as signing autographs and posing for photos.
“It was such an uplifting experience seeing the joy the players gave the young patients and those around them,” said Warriors Community Foundation CEO Lincoln Jefferson.
“For the players it was so humbling but at the same time rewarding to see the impact they had on the kids.
“As an organisation we want to do all we can to support the Starship Foundation to raise funds for this critical cause and we encourage our fans to do the same.”
The NRL has launched ‘Kick for a Cause’ through which fans, clubs, players, broadcasters and partners can help to raise funds for specialist children’s cancer centres across New Zealand and Australia.
“It was pretty special having the Warriors in at Starship Children's Hospital today, a meeting of the big warriors and the little ones," said Starship Foundation CEO Jo Simon.
"The players might get the cheers on the field but the real grit is in these kids. They showed the team exactly what courage looks like, and it gave everyone, players, families and staff, a real lift.
“We are incredibly grateful to be part of Kick for a Cause. To see the entire NRL community come together like this - players, clubs, fans - it speaks to the power of sport to drive real change."
One New Zealand Warriors fans can make an even bigger impact by donating directly through the club’s dedicated kickforacause.org.nz helping to raise vital funds for Kiwi kids and families facing cancer treatment here in Aotearoa.
Every dollar donated through the Warriors page will stay in New Zealand, supporting Starship Blood and Cancer Centre and Child Cancer Foundation.
Insurer Youi is also supporting the cause by pledging $1000 for every successful conversion and penalty kicked in the eight games during the NRL’s Magic Round at Suncorp Stadium from May 15-17. They have doubled the donation for every successful field goal.
After a bye this week, the One New Zealand Warriors face the Brisbane Broncos in Magic Round on Sunday, May 17.
Donate now: https://kickforacause.org.nz
Further information about Starship
Starship Foundation
- Starship Foundation is the dedicated charity which raises funds for Starship Children’s Hospital.
- Since 1992, the Starship Foundation has raised more than $250 million, investing in life-saving equipment, research, technology, specialist care and family support programmes.
- Starship Foundation helps to bridge the gap between government funding and what the hospital truly needs, ensuring children receive world-class care regardless of where they live or their circumstances.
Starship Hospital
- Starship Children’s Hospital is New Zealand’s only dedicated children’s hospital.
- Every year more than 150,000 patient visits are made to Starship.
- It delivers both national and regional specialist services, meaning children come to Starship from all over Aotearoa and the Pacific.
Kick for a Cause
- Funds raised for Kick for a Cause will support the future of childhood cancer care at Starship, a project that will transform outcomes for some New Zealand’s most vulnerable children.
- Each year about 150 children in New Zealand are diagnosed with cancer and many require highly complex, long-term treatment.
