Hope woman Kristin Paterson knows only too well the challenges you face when confronted with cancer, so she established the charity Whole Lotta Life Foundation to help other young adults forced to walk the same path.
Nearly ten years ago, at just 26 years, Kristin was diagnosed with cancer. A cruel diagnosis for the mother of two that included a ten-week old baby.
“Everything in my life started to turn on its head. I had just had a baby, my career had to go on hold and I felt more and more isolated as my condition worsened.”
Coming out the other side and establishing The Whole Lotta Life Foundation, her mission is simple – that no young adult should have to face cancer alone. ‘Young adults’ is a group made up of people aged between 20 and 45 years – young people who are just starting out at life, starting careers, starting families, starting adventures – who then, overnight, have to deal with a multitude of social, psychological and medical challenges.
While most of their peers are leading healthy, active and busy lives, a cancer diagnosis makes it difficult for these young adults to keep up socially, academically and professionally, as well as relate to others, with isolation one of the biggest issues faced. This is where Kristin’s charity steps in, and together with the generous support of Craig Hamilton from Richmond’s Mike Pero Branch, they run five-day retreats in Kaiteriteri to help young New Zealanders affected by cancer, by bringing them together to rest and connect.
From Wednesday, October 17, twelve participants on this year’s retreat will feel connected, heard and understood during the charity’s fifth retreat since 2014.