Still Me September

The Side of Cancer No One Talks About

This is not about treating cancer. It’s about the other side, the silent part no one talks about. It’s about the moments no one truly understands until you’re facing cancer yourself. The mirror reflecting a gaunt face. Eyebrows gone. Lashes missing. A face you barely recognise. The quiet shock as hair slips through your fingers faster than you can hold on. The messages you leave unanswered. The plans you cancel because you feel like a ghost of yourself. The sleepless nights. The weight of pending results. The silent walk into the oncology ward, shoulders heavy, tears held back, because you have to be strong. The ache of losing more than your health, losing the parts of yourself that made you feel like you.

Every 22 minutes, someone hears the words: “You have cancer.”

In that moment, everything changes. Identity is shaken, taken, and replaced with an NHI number. Life becomes a blur of scans, appointments, and side effects. Cancer doesn’t discriminate; it affects one in three of us. It could be you. It could be me. It could be someone you love.

Right now, someone you know is in the thick of it, holding on emotionally, mentally, and physically, fighting to stay connected to who they are. Still Me September is about helping them. Helping them feel like themselves again.

Look Good Feel Better is a national, cancer-agnostic charity, empowering people to reclaim their confidence, strength, and sense of self while facing one of life’s toughest challenges. Still Me September shines a light on the often-silent journey cancer brings, the part that lives beyond hospital walls and medical treatments.

It raises vital funds to provide free, expertly designed, non-medical classes and resources that that are practical, tangible and actionable, and inspire confidence, strength, hope and connection. Whether in person or online, these welcoming support sessions are open to anyone, with any cancer, at any stage, 24/7, 365 days a year.

Right now, someone is holding on through cancer.

Every donation helps provide them with vital, practical free cancer support, and the strength to keep going.

We urgently need to create space for more people to receive the cancer support they deserve. We need you.

Our Reach and Impact
In FY2025, Look Good Feel Better delivered more than 440 free classes across 40+ community locations and 19 different online support classes. These were complemented by an ever-expanding library of on-demand videos, podcasts, and expert Q&As, ensuring support is always within reach. Whether someone is immune compromised, depleted from treatment, or living rurally, no one has to face cancer alone.

Key growth highlights:
• Annual class growth 21%
• Overall participant numbers grew by 21.3%

Participant feedback shows meaningful impact:
• 88% reported a lift in morale (up 4.76%)
• 83% felt more confident in themselves (up 2.47%)
• Participants gave an average score of 9.6 out of 10 when asked if they’d recommend Look Good Feel Better to others facing cancer

Look Good Feel Better receives no government funding and relies entirely on donations to keep these essential services free for every New Zealander who needs them.

With cancer diagnoses expected to almost double by 2040, the need is real and growing.

Your support matters.