Many of you will have heard of the recent passing of a dear friend and colleague in Baden Ngan Kee. His funeral was held on Tuesday 23rd of July at St Mary’s Parnell, attended by a packed congregation of family, friends, peers and colleagues, all paying their respects to an inspirational and courageous man who leaves behind his wife Kath, and three children.
Baden was a fit father-of-three who exercised five days a week, ate well and never smoked a day in his life, yet he was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer.
Baden’s ensuing battle to extend his life through drugs not funded by Pharmac opened his eyes to the current funding inequalities for New Zealand’s lung cancer patients – despite the fact lung cancer is the country’s biggest cancer killer. Baden worked hard supporting the Lung Foundation to change perceptions around the disease as being one that only affects smokers, as well as to help with the organisation’s lobbying for changes to drug funding.
One of Baden’s lasting legacies will be Team Baden, now in its third year, and having already raised $30,000 for the Lung Foundation to provide patient support, education and advocacy. The Lung Foundation NZ is an independent non-government organisation dedicated to promoting healthy lungs and early detection of lung disease (including lung cancer, NZ’s biggest cancer killer). The Foundation advocates on a range of issues, including access to more effective funded treatments and an increase in research funding.
Team Baden will return again this year in the lead up to the John West Traverse event at the Auckland Marathon on 20th October 2019. “We really admire the work Baden has done with the Lung Foundation and we’re encouraging others to join us in supporting this very important cause,” said Chris Buddle, Country Manager Simplot New Zealand.
We encourage you all to support this amazing initiative which is one of Baden’s legacies and something which his family will continue to lead in his honour. Here’s the link to the fundraising page for 2019 where your generous donation and words of support will be greatly appreciated.
https://aucklandmarathon2019.everydayhero.com/nz/team-baden-supporters
All funds raised for Team Baden will go towards the Lung Foundation’s lobbying for improved access to potentially life-saving drugs for Kiwi lung cancer patients.
