Same News, Different Decade

 

 Before I moved to New Zealand I was on the public speaking circuit as a key note speaker for fundraisers.  This article was written after I spoke at a school near Stratford, Ontario where Matthew shaved his head to raise money for cancer research.  I'm trying to locate the television news coverage from this event.  I have a copy of it, but it's on VHS.  

Sometimes I feel so so far away from advancements in technology.  Not to say New Zealand isn't part of the modern world but I have always felt like I've gone back in time by about 10 years.

That's the charm of living here.  Less stress.  Less consumerism.  More freedom.  More possibility.

World Ovarian Cancer Day

Today is the FIRST ever World Ovarian Cancer Day.  And because I now live in New Zealand, I get to be the first to celebrate it worldwide.

How appropriate... as I was the first to to trial the drug combinations in 1985 to help find the cure for Ovarian Cancers.  Miraculously I survived, and I'm here today to share my story and bring hope, inspiration and awareness worldwide.

Cancer is graded in stages from one to four, with stage four the most advanced. If it’s caught early (Stage 1 or 2), ovarian cancer can be cured in around 90% of cases. Once Ovarian Cancer progresses to Stage 3 or 4, the survival rate beyond 5 years is less than 20%.

Around 70% of women diagnosed with this type of cancer have reached stage three by the time it’s found.

The key is listening to your body. Massage, yoga and meditation are great ways to connect to your body. Being aware of yourself and your body gives you empowerment to take control of your health and recognize when something is not right.

Miracles happen.  Never lose hope.

Listen to the interview I did on Classic Hits 95 this morning here

Birds of a Feather...

As mentioned in my previous post, I've been on a streak of good things happening.  Last week I won a high tea at Annah Stretton Birds of a Feather store on Grey Street in Tauranga.

Annah Stretton

Annah Stretton is a brilliant New Zealand fashion designer and entrepreneur.  She has written two books and publishes two magazines (Her Business and Pink Magazine - for Breast Cancer).  She has won numerous entrepreneurial and business awards.  She's an advocate for a number of charities.  Basically, Annah Stretton is the Oprah of New Zealand but without all the hype.

When I first moved to Mount Maunganui, I would shop along the main street for Mrs. Peacocke (the old days of caring for Mrs. P - remember that?).  I would walk past the Annah S. store and admire the frocks in the window.  This was designer fashion which at the time I couldn't afford but which reminded me of my sister Ann.

My sister used to make all her own clothes and I think she'd like Annah's style.  Most of Annah's early fashions were kinda "patchwork", with asymmetrical cuts which made the pieces look tattered in a funky sorta way.  But the fabric was of highest quality.  It made me think that she must've started out with off-cuts and created unique items on a shoestring budget.  I thought she was brilliant.  It's something my sister would have done, had she not gone into Interior Design and Architecture.

Then I purchased my first Annah S. design.  Back in 2006 when I was going to marry Brian.  I wanted to get married in something from my favourite boutique.  I bought a beautiful yet practical Annah S. four way wrap skirt and a corset.  I figured I could wear the skirt forever and ever.  It was made out of four panels of gold fabrics - all very different but complementary to each other.  The skirt and corset had a modern 1980's Madonna "Like a Virgin" feel to it.  The corset was made up of panels of cream coloured fabric with dusty rose velvet on the bodice.

Sadly I never wore the outfit in the end - as the wedding was called off.  Take a trip down memory lane if you wish to read that here.  My beautiful (and very expensive) Annah S. designer skirt has been hanging in my closet ever since.  I've worn the corset a handful of times.  I do love it and it looks great with white jeans.

Anyway BACK to my original story.

A few weeks ago when I was online filling out applications for grants and funding for Kilimanjaro, I filled out an application to win a High Tea at the Annah Stretton Birds of a Feather shop.  I totally forgot I'd filled it out when I got the call from the store manager to say I'd won!  I had to gather up 3 friends for an afternoon of cake, fashion and wine.

The lovely Marilyn

I invited friends who have helped me on my campaign.  My first call was to Joanne - the documentary film maker.  Next I invited my friend Marilyn who introduced me to Joanne.  And my third guest was Charlie, my friend and the youth worker for the local CanTeen office.  Three women who do so much for others and who have been big supporters of me.  It was nice to be able to do something for them.

Charlie from CanTeen

Joanne suggested bringing the camera to do some recording for our short YouTube video.  I wanted to clear it with head office, so I got in touch with Tony at Stretton Designs who spoke to the boss (Annah herself) and gave me the all clear.

Joanne - film maker extraordinaire

We were greeted by one of Annah Stretton's personal stylists - Kerry.  She was so lovely.  We sat down and enjoyed our high tea with scrumptious little cakes and shared a bottle of my favourite New Zealand Savignon Blanc (Kim Crawford).  The shop is big and bright with the storefront looking out onto Grey Street through a wall of windows.  The shop is spacious, with retro look sofas and racks of designer Annah Stretton clothing.  They now offer make up consultations too.  Annah knows what women want and she is giving it to us - all under one roof.

The space is available for functions and gatherings.  I couldn't think of a better place to have a soiree.

As we were finishing off our cake, Kerry came over and presented me with a Gift Voucher to use toward my Expedition of Hope.  Annah has generously donated an exclusive "Girls Night Out" for 6 women valued at $2,250.  This is an exclusive preview party of the new Winter 2013 Collection.  One of Annah's senior stylists will come and teach you how to dress for your body shape, give tips and tricks to accentuate your assets and disguise your flaws and help to decode your key colour palette.  PLUS bubbles and nibbles and a goodie bag AND a follow up personal styling voucher with an Annah Stretton principal stylist valued at an additional $250 for every member of the party.

Such a generous donation!  Annah Stretton, you are a star.  Thank you so much!  This will be used to help raise money towards Kilimanjaro.  We are currently organizing a charity dinner and auction TBA soon.   Keep watching this blog for updates.

I love Annah Stretton dresses.  They are so feminine and practical and fun and flirty.  I tried on a jacket from this season's range that fit like a glove - so I HAD to have it. 

I also bought myself a dress that can be worn so many different ways - it would be impractical NOT to have it.  It matched my new jacket and it was so flattering on me.

I needed a new dress for all my upcoming interviews.  ;)

Besides, I deserved it.  It was my 28th life-aversary and my graduation from Small Business Management at Te Wananga o Aotearoa the day before.

I don't shop very often these days.  When I do, I treat myself to the nicer things.  I'm still a practical shopper and Annah Stretton designs allow me to stay true to myself.  They are beautiful, timeless pieces which will last forever.  I can justify spending the money.  And I love her style.

It was such a fun afternoon.  Thank you for treating us like royalty.  We had an amazing day.  Your gift towards my cause was very generous!  Thanks again and again Annah Stretton.  You truly spoiled us.  

Speaking at Te Wananga o Aotearoa

I've had a great week.  It's been one of those weeks where everything starts falling into place and when one good thing happens, another good thing immediately follows.  I love the law of attraction.

Friday May 3rd was my 28th Life-aversary.  I was asked why I celebrate the day I was diagnosed rather than the last day of treatment.   My life forever changed the day I was diagnosed with cancer.  It was probably the most significant day of my whole life.  I'm very proud to say I survived 28 years post Ovarian Cancer.  I don't think many people get a chance to say that.  It's an event to be celebrated!

I also had another reason to celebrate this year.  I had my official graduation ceremony from my Small Business Management course at Te Wananga o Aotearoa.  I was asked to be the student speaker for the ceremony.  It's been many years since I spoke in front of a large crowd.  I used to love the adrenalin rush and being in the spotlight but over the years of not using my gift, I became a shrinking violet.  I even started to develop a stutter.  My self confidence plummeted.  This is a great opportunity to get back out there and reconnect with my voice and start sharing my story again.

I had an honorary chair on stage.

Te Wānanga o Aotearoa is one of New Zealand's largest tertiary education providers which offers a comprehensive range of certificate to degree level qualifications to New Zealanders of all ages and walks of life.

Guided by Māori principles and values, they take great pride in their nurturing and inclusive learning environment.  

The ceremony was very special.  We were greeted in Maori and there were beautiful Maori songs sung before the ceremony started. 

I was invited to sit up on stage as the honourary speaker.  I sat there thinking, "How on earth did this fair haired Canadian get asked to represent a Maori institute?"  I practiced my Maori pronunciation over and over in my head.

And then it was time to deliver my speech.  The subject was "Whanau (meaning Family) - Transformation Through Education"

E nga mana,    e nga reo,    rau rangatira ma.     Tena koutou,    tena koutou,    tena koutou    katoa.

To the respected people, speakers and leaders gathered here. Greetings, greetings, greetings.

It is an honour being asked to speak to you all here today.  You’ve all taken a big leap, some to completely change your path and others to enhance the dimly lit path of yesterday.  Change can be incredibly scary.

I stumbled onto my career early in life.  Even before graduating with honours and winning the Gold Medal for Highest Average in 7^th Form, one of my teachers saw my potential and secured me an internship with a prestigious law firm.  I turned it down.  I also turned down a scholarship to study medicine.  Law and Medicine were far too stressful career options for me.  To the shock and horror of my mentors, I chose to enrol myself in a 2,200 hour Massage Therapy program to buy myself some time until I figured out what I REALLY wanted to do.   

Two years later I emerged, passing the government board exams and became one of the youngest Registered Massage Therapists in Canada.   I was just 20 years old when I started my business in Toronto, Ontario in the mid 1990’s.

My naivety was an advantage.  I was fearless.  I didn’t care about money.  I was doing it for the love of the art and to help people feel better.   I didn’t know a thing about business and I didn’t really need to.  Word spread fast.  Within the first year my phone was ringing off the hook.  While my friends were whittling their money on university educations they would never use, I was earning more money than I knew what to do with and I was spending most of it on clothes.  

Ah to be so fearless and naïve and have such passion for something you are genuinely talented at.  That is the best indicator to know when you know you are on the right track.   But I was too young to recognize it.  Sometimes we don’t know we’re on any track at all.

For me, freedom was more important than getting caught up in the mundane day to day, the “work treadmill”.  So when things got too busy and it started to feel like “work”, I decided to give the business away to someone else.  I found a young single mother who I knew my clients would love and who would appreciate the work.   I took off, travelling through Europe on my own to get in touch with who I was and the direction I really wanted to go.  I was just 23 going on 24.  Massage was my career but I knew I needed to balance my life with my gift of healing and with my purpose which was working with young people and cancer.   Every summer from the age of 16, I volunteered for two weeks as a camp counsellor at a camp for children with cancer.   I lived for those two weeks.  I wanted more of THAT.  They were my Whanau. 

You see, I had childhood cancer.  A rare type of ovarian cancer and I was not expected to survive.  Coincidentally, it was May 3^rd, 28 years ago on this day that I was diagnosed.   I understood early on that my life’s purpose was to be there to support others.  I can’t have children but that just means I’m able to give my time to hundreds of them.   My massage business filled my wallet but my charity work filled my soul. 

My lifestyle in Canada was too focused on material THINGS so at the age of 29 I chose to leave that life for a simpler existence here in New Zealand.   I made a clean break, sold all my possessions in a garage sale for $1,500 – enough for a one way ticket - and me and my old cat travelled across the globe for a fresh start nearly a decade ago.  I came here with nothing.   It wasn’t easy but life isn’t meant to be easy, it’s meant to be lived.  For the past 9 years I have devoted the majority of my free time to charity work, mostly with CanTeen.  They have become my new Whanau. 

I say YES to everything.   My friends and family think I’m nuts.  I’ve always lived my life a little on the edge.  Some people have even remarked that I don’t value my time enough because I give it away so freely.  But my soul feels differently.  My business continues to pay the bills where my focus is on what fills my soul.

For 18 years I ran a business without any direction.  I began to lose interest in it so I felt it was time to take it to the next level and create something I didn’t just want to “give away” to someone else.  Doing the Certificate in Small Business Management really gave me the tools I needed to understand just where my strengths and my weaknesses were.  As you can probably figure out, money has never been a big motivator of mine. 

To me, making money is just the bonus to living the life of your dreams.   Having your own business should give you the satisfaction and freedom to be yourself and share your talents…  (hopefully finding a way to feed your family in the process or in my case, buying cat food and a new pair of shoes every now and again – which are more of the jandal variety these days).

After applying the modules from the course to my business, I felt an immediate sense of achievement.  Each week I was making headway and completely transforming my old business model.  I had hit a rut and now I was moving forward again.  I added a few other passions of mine, yoga and meditation to the mix.   I’d been doing these things most of my life and encouraging my clients to incorporate them into theirs.  They wanted ME to teach them.  So I thought, “Why not?”  So last year I also did a Yoga Teacher Training Course.  It was a busy year.

Each week I found new inspiration in others as they were exploring their passions and taking their own fearless plunges into the unknown.  Our teacher Ra, encouraged and supported us when we got stuck or off track.  I was personally surprised at the sudden fear I felt after so many years of ignorant bliss.  Not knowing HOW I was doing it seemed to work for me.  I resisted.   It brought up insecurities I didn’t even know I had.  Ra helped pull my head gently and encouragingly out of the sand where I had been stuck for what felt like a thousand years.  What can I say?  Some of us work better in the dark. 

Ra told us at the start of the course that by the end of it, we could end up on a journey we didn’t expect to take.  As the course was wrapping up and I was accepting this new direction my business was heading toward, things went on a totally different course just as Ra said they might.  “Life is what happens when you’re busy making plans for something else.”

Out of the blue, I was invited to join an expedition to climb to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro – Africa’s highest peak and the tallest free standing mountain in the world - for Ovarian Cancer.   I said YES before I could even think about what I was saying yes to.  Not because it was on my bucket list or because I have nothing else to do.  I knew in my heart that this was the next step on my journey.   I felt that fearless excitement knowing that THIS is going to take me closer to the direction I am supposed to go.

So I am now finding myself applying everything I learned in the course to raising money for this massive event.  This is so very clearly my purpose.    My own business continues to tick along effortlessly which in itself is a gift.  I don’t need to waste my attention on something that already works.  I took this course to learn how to apply it to something bigger… and I didn’t even realize it.

Whatever YOU do, it should feel as though you are giving of yourself.  Your heart must be in it, otherwise it’s just another “job” and those of us who run our own businesses know, it can be easier working for someone else.  Going in and having a 9-5 and weekly paycheck is a regular fantasy of mine.   But we also know the deep satisfaction of the freedom of expression, in doing what we love.  It’s not about money.  It’s not about taking.  It’s all about sharing and giving and being creative and passionate about what YOU do and possessing the knowledge of finding a way to get paid for it.  When you are working until 2am on something you absolutely love, without getting paid – now that’s when you know you’ve hit the jackpot.  If you don’t love what you do, you might want to rethink the game plan.  Life is too short to be miserable and unfulfilled.

But if that IS what you have found, then you will be rich beyond your dreams and making your mark on the world as you know it.   Get out there and share your gift.  Be the change you want to see in the world.

In closing I’d like to thank Te Wananga o Aotearoa and especially my Kaiako Ra for seeing my potential and for giving us the tools to transform ourselves.

No reira,    Kia kaha,    Kia toa,    Kia manawanui.

Therefore, be strong, be victorious, be of strong heart.

A few of us from Small Business Management

 

The Fun in FUNdraising

 My life is CONSUMED by fundraising these days.  When I am not running my business and doing massages to earn money to pay rent and bills, I am writing letters, making phone calls and thinking about who I can ask for help.

Asking for help has never been easy for me.  I do most things on my own.  

I don't mind volunteering my own time to help others but to ask someone to volunteer their time to help ME is really really difficult.

I am so lucky to have a wide variety of friends from all different professions and expertise to call on.  I hate asking but when I do, I so appreciate it when they say yes.

I'd like to take this time to personally THANK each one of them.

Joanne Rye McGregor - Documentary Film Producer.  Joanne was introduced to me by a mutual friend.  She has made a number of documentaries and was excited to work with me on this project.  She believes my story needs to be told and shared.  She is a recent breast cancer survivor so she can relate.  Joanne has helped get the ball rolling.  I was like a deer in the headlights at the start of all this and didn't even know where to find my point of difference.  She helped me to see how special my story is and gave me the confidence to find my words.  She is filming on her own free time and is there whenever there is an opportunity, big or small.  She is the visionary.  I am the humble poet and muse.

Trudie Malone - Graphic Artist.  Trudie is a client of mine so when I needed my flyers designed pronto I made one call to Trudie and she had it done in just a few days.  She did a brilliant job too.  Much more professional than I envisaged.  And while she was doing this for me, she was in the middle of moving house.  She is a TRUE Legend.

Stephen Kale - Printer.  Stephen printed my flyers at a fraction of the cost.  I ordered 10,000 copies.  Sounds like a lot but they'll get used.

The team at Bivoac/Outdoor Adventure in Tauranga.  I went in there to look at outdoor gear one afternoon and got to talking to one of the owners who very eagerly offered to help out in whatever capacity they could.  I needed hiking boots and they sold me my Solomon Boots at cost plus GST and 15%.  They also kitted me up for my Waikaremoana Hike a few weeks ago (photos and blog to come).

Emily from Wild & Grace - who I swear is an angel.  She is just one of those people who are there to support and do anything to help.  She wrote this amazing amazing piece about me on her blog.  She is using her personal resources to help me achieve my goals.  

Jamie - who also knows the right people.  She's a bit harder to pin down because she's just a massive ball of creative energy.  But when I do get her, she throws together ideas like a machine gun.  And she knows how to get money out of people through the art of asking and giving them what they want.

Julie and Michelle - my Canadian cheerleaders who have been trying to break my story in to North American territory.  I AM Canadian afterall.

Devan - who I only just met about a month ago and immediately took interest in my cause.  He admits, at first he wanted to impress me.  But he's taken on the role of fundraising project manager.  I AM impressed with his execution to get the ball rolling.  He says he'll do something and he actually DOES IT.  I don't have to tell him what to do or how I want it done, he takes the initiative and makes it happen.  He has organized a special screening to The Great Gatsby at Tauranga Rialto on Sunday June 9th at 5:30pm.  Now he's right into the project full steam and he admitted to me that it's no longer to just impress me - because he is so inspired to be doing good work to help others.   I think he's found a new career calling.  If anyone needs an event manager - Devan is your man.

That made me think of something I read on a blog I follow called "Jamie The Very Worst Missionary":

It told me that when we lean in to the gifts God has given us, our Joy abounds.

And I really needed to hear that because, honestly? I'm afraid to be amazing. But that's just what happens when we lean in...

...Joy abounds.

It's amazing.  

(Lucky for me, my middle name is Joy)

And I can't forget the amazing people who have donated financially to my cause on my Give A Little Sponsorship page and the awesome clients of mine at Magic Hands who have paid extra after their massage to go towards my climb.  All up I have raised close to $3,000.  

And a few bigger sponsors (ranging from $100-$600) who deserve mentioning.  

Rob from Dubai
Auntie Maureen from Tulsa Oklahoma
Murray Taylor who passed away days after his donation
Clint from TeAnau
The Coopers in Auckland
My oldest pal Al in Ottawa
The Haines Family in Stratford Ontario
Nick and Erin in Abu Dhabi  
Barb who is currently in Nepal working with children
Richard out on the farm

Thank you for your generosity.

I need at least $10,000 just to cover my costs and the $2,500 to go to Ovarian Cancer Canada who are organizing the expedition.   

I am still looking for funding to produce the documentary when I get back from Kilimanjaro.  And then I've got to write my book.   Total budget would be a conservative $30,000. 

I've applied for Grants and Scholarships and I've submitted a Sponsorship Proposal with a few big companies who I feel would align with my mission - to educate and inspire.  Now I wait.

What does one get if they become my main sponsor?  They get a list of benefits:

• One year exposure through logo and editorial on Tracy’s blog. (Currently 24 500 views).
• Logo on backpack and apparel provided by sponsor:  There will be a film crew on the expedition and a documentary is being produced specific ally about Tracy’s life story.   This will be entered into international film festivals. Tracy will be wearing official apparel during her interviews.  Content will also be made available online. 
• The use of Tracy’s story to the benefit of the sponsor.
• Tracy will speak at engagements initiated by the sponsor and/or any future speaking engagements.  Sponsorship will be promoted for a year.
• Extensive photography of the expedition capturing the sponsor’s logo will be displayed on various websites and social media channels. There will also be photography footage of Tracy’s fitness training leading up to the expedition in locations that includes many of New Zealand’s great walks and tracks.
• Incidental exposure in public relations. 
• Your corporate logo on the Teal Banner that will be raised at Uhuru Peak at the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.
• Opportunity for international exposure - your logo on the Expedition of Hope website, Ovarian Cancer websites and through other marketing and social media campaigns. 
• Opportunity to promote your products and services through strategic marketing campaigns.
• Corporate alignment with Ovarian Cancer Organizations, exemplifying your investment in the health and well-being of women in Canada, New Zealand and internationally.

     
All for the bargain price of $9,950

Know anyone who might be interested?  This is a very good investment.  I'm worth a lot more than that.