Gujarati Samaj NZ shares Indian food, love with guests at Domain Lodge Cancer Society

The Gujaratai Samaj New Zealand Inc has reached out to residents and the guests at the Auckland’s Domain Lodge, Cancer Society, sharing traditional Indian food, love and warmth with the patients and families, bringing much-needed love in their lives to mark the Daffodil Day.

Daffodil Day, which symbolises all New Zealanders coming together in the fight against cancer, was celebrated on Friday, August 31.

To mark this occasion, the Gujarati Samaj New Zealand – an Auckland based community organisation - found an innovative way of reaching out to the residents of Domain Lodge, which provides accommodation for adults having treatment for cancer or attending hospital appointments related to their cancer, and bringing some joy in their lives.

This Gujarati Samaj initiative was organised with the help of Sue Beuvink, the Community Fundraising Coordinator, Cancer Society, on Wednesday, September 5.

Speaking to the Indian Weekender, Vijay Modi, the President of GSNZ said, “We wanted to do something different on this Daffodil Day and share a little bit more love and warmth to the patients and their families dealing with cancer.”

“In our culture, there is nothing better than sharing food to spread warmth and love,” Mr Modi said.

The food was prepared by the Mahila wing of Gujarati Samaj New Zealand in their Kitchen and served to the patients and personal caretakers – a gesture thoroughly appreciated by the guests of Domain Lodge.

Acknowledging the gesture Ms Beuvink wrote to the Gujarati Samaj team “A big thank you to you and your group from Gujarati Samaj for the delicious dinner you prepared for our Domain Lodge patients and guests last night together with sharing your culture through your performances.”

A donation cheque was also handed over to Ms Beuvink by Kirit Thaker, Treasurer of GSNZ.

“For someone going through treatment and their support person, it makes a big difference to have something to look forward to and something outside the routine of having treatment.

“You bought some joy to our guests last night in what is a difficult time for them. Please pass on our thanks to your group,” Ms Beuvink said.

Daffodil Day is Cancer Society’s most important annual fundraiser. The money raised is used to support patients with cancer and their families, fund breakthrough cancer research and help reduce the incidence of cancer coming generations of New Zealand.