The Arthritis New Zealand Children’s Camp will take place from Friday 1 March to Sunday 3 March in Matamata. This will be the charity’s ninth consecutive annual Children’s Camp and a record high of nearly 100 people will attend.

 

TP Moananu (third from left) and his family.

Seventeen-year-old Tristan-Perry (TP) Moananu of Miramar, Wellington is one of the camp youth leaders this year. TP
first came to camp in 2017 and returned as a youth leader last year and again this year.

“The first time I went to camp, it was a little scary because I wasn’t sure what to expect. I was just trying to find my feet with everything that was happening to me – emotionally and physically – after being diagnosed with lupus late 2015. The benefits came thick and fast, with new faces, information overload, and mostly, the support I got. I felt safe,” said TP.

TP said that camp is very beneficial to children with arthritis because it allows them to meet new people with similar stories who must learn and adapt to changes. It also sets the scene for the children to inspire one another and be there for each other – a support group for children.

When asked what he likes about camp, TP said that it’s mostly the people, followed by the awesome activities, including swimming, waterslides and all sorts of games.

TP is a Pasifika leader at Wellington College, he is a Harlberg Council Member, and a Parafed member. He also plays rugby for 2nd XV for WC, and has assisted with coaching interclub 7’s for Poneke U12s. TP also likes to spend time fundraising for organisations including Arthritis New Zealand.

Lupus is a disease and a form of arthritis that affects joints, muscles and other parts of the body. Itcan also affect the skin, kidneys, lungs, heart, nervous system and blood. Lupus is an autoimmune disease, which means that people with lupus develop antibodies that attack healthy tissues.  As a result, different parts of the body become inflamed and this causes pain and swelling. Lupus can mimic other diseases and can be difficult to diagnose.

Arthritis can affect anyone at any age and new figures* released in 2018 reveal that more than 647,000 people in New Zealand have arthritis, 48% of which are of working age.

The report shows that there are increasing numbers of people being diagnosed with arthritis and the number is projected to be one million by 2040. 

*Economic Cost of Arthritis in New Zealand 2018. Deloitte Access Economics.

We rely on community fundraising to make Children’s Camp possible. Thank you to all those who have donated to this year’s Camp, and to those who haven’t, it’s not too late!  To donate $20 towards Children’s Camp, dial 0900 333 20.

 

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