PINC & STEEL

22/07/2025

Our new website is LIVE!
We’ve refreshed the look and made it easier than ever to:

Learn about our work
• Access cancer rehabilitation support
• Get involved
• Help fund recovery across New Zealand

Check it out here: https://www.pincandsteel.com/

This project was never just about improving our online appearance. For many people, this site is their first step toward recovery.
For healthcare providers, it’s a practical tool to refer patients to the care they need.
And for us, it’s a vital platform to make cancer rehabilitation more visible, accessible, and valued.

In New Zealand, cancer rehab is not yet recognised or funded as part of standard care. That’s why PINC & STEEL exists — to provide the roadmap to faster, better recoveries and ensure no one is left behind after cancer treatment.

Whether you’re:

• A patient in treatment or recovery
• A friend or whānau member
• A physio supporting clients
• A healthcare professional referring patients
…there’s a clear pathway to the information and services you need.

Take a look — and help us spread the word:
https://www.pincandsteel.com/

Expert cancer rehabilitation for all types and stages. Support, physiotherapy, and recovery services across NZ. Find a physio or refer a patient today.

16/07/2025

“PINC & STEEL are an amazing organisation that help all cancer patients get the help and attention we need, so that we can live our very best whilst battling cancer every day.
Having been diagnosed with stage 4 cervical cancer was such a huge, massive shock. Taking part in these cancer rehab sessions has been one of the best decisions I have made throughout my cancer journey. Not only for slowly getting my body back into shape but for the amazing and wonderful friendships you make along the way. Shannon (my PINC & STEEL Oncology Physio) is one special lady. She is always there to push you and guide you so that you do the best of your ability.”
Emma

👉🏽Supporting people like Emma is why we are involved in Dry July.

🙌To contribute to our team’s efforts in New Zealanders visit: https://www.dryjuly.co.nz/teams/pinc-and-steel-nz-2

Dry July NZ

15/07/2025

At PINC & STEEL, we know cancer doesn’t just affect bodies — it affects jobs, families and futures.

Every day, we see:
🔸 Parents juggling treatment while caring for children and trying to keep working
🔸 Young adults navigating early-onset cancers like breast and colorectal cancer
🔸 Older adults living with pain and loss of independence

Cancer has a ripple effect — through homes, workplaces, and entire communities.

Right now, the cost-of-living crisis means many people are having to choose between recovery and rent. We're seeing a sharp rise in referrals from people who can’t afford the rehabilitation they urgently need to reduce pain, rebuild strength and return to life.

Our funded programmes don’t just support recovery — they help people reclaim their independence, their work, and their place with their whānau.

But we can’t do it without your support.

Join us at the Empower Me Pink Dinner — a night of connection, incredible food and entertainment, all for a cause that truly matters.
Every dollar raised will help fund recovery for New Zealanders affected by cancer.

🗓️ 5th September 2025
📍 Pullman Hotel, Auckland
🎟️ Get your Empower Me Pink tickets here: https://events.humanitix.com/empower-me-pink-fundraiser

Because cancer affects more than one person — and recovery does too.

10/07/2025

Mid-Winter Movie Night 🍿🎥�Join us for a virtual movie night to support PINC & STEEL this Dry July. Every Friday in July, skip the after-work drinks, avoid the rain, and stay in with a movie night fundraiser instead! Enjoy snacks, non-alcoholic drinks, and good vibes.

Invite your mates to join you for a fun movie night in, and ask them to donate to your Dry July.

For those not taking part in Dry July, joining our virtual movie nights is a fantastic way to show your support. Skip the drinks, donate to the PINC & STEEL Dry July team, put your feet up, and join us in watching a movie, all while raising funds to support people affected by cancer.

How to take part:
1. Pick a movie 🎥
2. Invite the crew to your place for your movie night - don’ forget to ask everyone to donate to the PINC & STEEL Dry July Team.
3. You supply the popcorn, snacks & (non-alcoholic) beverages
4. Get comfy, enjoy the movie, and feel good about raising money for a great cause.

Comment with your best movie suggestion for this Friday!

08/07/2025

We’re excited to launch a free 10-week online exercise and recovery programme especially for young people aged 16–24 who’ve been through cancer treatment.

Whether you’ve just finished treatment or it’s been a while, this programme will help you:
✔️ Stay active
✔️ Rebuild strength and confidence
✔️ Connect with others who get it
✔️ Restart what matters to you

Led by experienced certified Oncology Physiotherapist Shannon Fisken, this safe and adaptive programme runs one evening a week — or watch replays anytime.
Join from anywhere in NZ. All you need is WiFi and a bit of space to move.

📍 Register now: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=GG8KpzZ7_0a3sb9ZlaMtoRHMI5uNSQ9MmcUG22iOb7NUQjZaM0pROFBBNEFVVkczT1ZGWUYwOUpKVy4u

This programme has been co-designed by PINC & STEEL, CanTeen Aotearoa, and the AYA Cancer Network NZ — because medical treatment saves lives but cancer rehab gives people their lives back.

02/07/2025

After cancer, many people tell us they feel let down by their bodies.
Pain, fatigue, weakness, and fear of movement are common. But so is the sense that their body — and even their identity — has changed.

What keeps us so passionate about advocating for cancer rehabilitation is knowing how much can be improved.

At the PINC & STEEL Cancer Rehabilitation Foundation, we believe rehabilitation isn’t just about rebuilding strength — it’s about rewiring trust. Trust in your body. Trust in your capability. Trust in your future.
Rehab is a deeply relational process — and the relationship being rebuilt is with yourself.

Backed by neuroscience, neuroplasticity, and chronic pain research, cancer rehabilitation helps people affected by cancer to move safely, regain confidence, and reconnect with life.
It provides the structure and support needed to get the right 'dose' of exercise — the level proven to improve outcomes and quality of life after cancer.

Read more here 👇
🔗 �https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/rehabilitation-after-cancer-rebuilding-strength-trust-james-mnzm--xu8ic

After cancer, many people are told to “get back to normal” — but what happens when your body doesn’t feel like yours anymore? At PINC & STEEL, we work with people every day who feel let down by their bodies. They’ve been through surgery, chemotherapy, radiation — and survived — but are...

30/06/2025

Anne was diagnosed with endometrial cancer at the same time her husband was passing away. She had surgery in Christchurch and returned home, emotionally and physically exhausted.

“I spent a year just sitting. Curtains shut. Taking my son to school, then coming home and shutting the world out.”
She wasn’t sure how to start moving again — or if she could afford the right support.
But at a check-up, her specialist suggested PINC & STEEL, and she was referred to Oncology Physiotherapist Pam Allan at Myphysio - timaru

The PINC & STEEL funded programme gave Anne structure, support, and the confidence to take control of her health. She also began focusing on her wellbeing outside of sessions — making changes to her lifestyle, losing weight, and regaining energy.
With a background in a high-stress job, caring for a foster son with a brain injury, and years of looking after others, this was a moment to focus on herself.

“PINC & STEEL helped me get back on the bus. It gave me a sense of control — that I was doing the best I could for my future health. And if anything else comes, I’m strong enough to face it.”

Anne has shared her story to encourage others to support this year’s Dry July campaign. Money raised will help fund vital services that support New Zealanders through cancer, including physiotherapy rehabilitation with PINC & STEEL.

Read more about Anne's story in the Press:
https://www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/360732808/timaru-woman-diagnosed-cancer-same-week-her-husband-dies?fbclid=IwY2xjawLOippleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHqR_8XCwWfyGRqma3HimVgHLLT3I5plqh6CG0fv3ItO7FHIq8whZ6bOd0UYt_aem_0Na3hGyOGQ0h4lf71p0qvw

Dry July NZ

29/06/2025

Pāpāmoa father-of-four Blair Harrison was diagnosed with multiple myeloma just over a year ago. After months of chemotherapy and immunotherapy, Blair was supported by PINC & STEEL Physios as part of his recovery journey and participated in our PaddleOn programme.

Blair has shared his story and signed up to take part in this year’s Dry July campaign. Money raised will help fund vital services that support New Zealanders through cancer, including physiotherapy rehabilitation with PINC & STEEL.

Read the herald article here: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/bay-of-plenty-times/news/multiple-myeloma-papamoa-father-diagnosed-with-cancer-after-bad-back-pain/CCEEO7WI4RHMVHCE2BK7IGQRPA/

Sign up here: https://www.dryjuly.co.nz/users/sign_up?team=pinc-steel-foundation-3

Dry July NZ

25/06/2025

Young people affected by cancer often miss out on rehab support after treatment — especially when they don’t fit into older adult models of care, or can’t easily access rehab because of travel barriers.

But we know recovery doesn’t end when treatment does.

That’s why we’ve worked with Canteen Aotearoa and AYA Cancer Network Aotearoa to develop a new, free,10-week online exercise and recovery programme just for 16–24 year olds.

💻 One evening session a week (or catch up on replay)
📍 Join from anywhere in NZ — all you need is WiFi and space to move

Led by certified PINC & STEEL Oncology Physiotherapists, the sessions are safe, adaptive, and made for the needs of adolescents and young adults after cancer treatment.

🔗 Register now: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=GG8KpzZ7_0a3sb9ZlaMtoRHMI5uNSQ9MmcUG22iOb7NUQjZaM0pROFBBNEFVVkczT1ZGWUYwOUpKVy4u

A recent study* showed that adolescent and young adult ( ) cancer survivors have significantly lower quality of life than their peers — across cognitive, physical, emotional, and social functioning - if they don' t get recovery support. That’s why this programme matters.

👉 Please share this with any young person, whānau member, or healthcare provider who might benefit. Let’s make sure young people aren’t left behind in their recovery.

*Source: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11764-025-01818-0

24/06/2025

The following poem by Joy Cowley eloquently captures the essence of being there for one another—not as grand monuments, but as simple bridges over life's challenges, including pain, fear, grief, and loneliness. It serves as a gentle reminder of the strength found in vulnerability and the profound beauty of human connection.

There are times in life
when we are called to be bridges,
not a great monument spanning a distance
and carrying loads of heavy traffic
but a simple bridge
to help one person from here to there
over some difficulty
such as pain, fear, grief, loneliness,
a bridge which opens the way
for ongoing journey.

When I become a bridge for another,
I bring upon myself a blessing, for I escape
from the small prison of self
and exist for a wider world,
breaking out to be a larger being
who can enter another’s pain
and rejoice in another’s triumph.

I know of only one greater blessing
in this life, and that is
to allow someone else
to be a bridge for me.

Joy Cowley

23/06/2025

This story beautifully captures how recovery after cancer treatment isn’t just about the body — it’s about rebuilding everyday life.

After being diagnosed with bowel cancer at 64, Judy Armstrong from Waitara went through radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery. Like many others, she found that while her treatment ended, the physical and emotional impact didn’t.

When Judy began experiencing ongoing discomfort while walking, she was referred to local PINC & STEEL oncology physiotherapist Jacinta Harrison. With Jacinta’s support, Judy began a personalised rehabilitation programme that helped her rebuild strength, restore confidence, and eventually take part in the PaddleOn programme.

Her journey reflects the power of tailored rehabilitation and community-based care in helping people reconnect with the activities they enjoy — and feel more like themselves again.

Full Story👇Via Taranaki Daily News story here: https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360721825/how-paddleboarding-helped-cancer-survivor-find-her-feet-again

Thanks to Dry July NZ for providing funding for our group cancer rehab programmes.

After a shock cancer diagnosis, Judy Armstrong has nothing but praise for how a rehabilitation charity helped her find her feet again.