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by Amy Ede

Some events sparkle because of the dresses. Others because of the cause. The Naylor Love Cancer Society Queenstown Ball sparkles because of both.

Since working alongside the Cancer Society, I have been genuinely humbled by what happens behind the scenes. The care. The coordination. The sheer amount of effort that goes into raising funds so that when someone in our community hears the words “you have cancer,” they are not left to navigate it alone.

Like many of you, I have been personally affected by cancer more times than I care to remember. Family. Close friends. Colleagues. It is rarely a distant headline. It shows up at kitchen tables, in hospital corridors, in conversations that change everything. When you see that up close, you understand why this work matters so deeply.

What has struck me most is that so much of the Cancer Society’s support across Queenstown, Wānaka and Central Otago is funded by us. Locally raised donations supporting local people.

That support is practical and immediate. Assistance with travel and accommodation for treatment. Counselling for individuals and families. Specialist nurse advice. Health promotion and prevention programmes. These services are not abstract. They are used by people in our region every single week, and they are made possible by fundraising efforts like this.

Every ticket purchased. Every auction bid. Every sponsorship secured. It all feeds directly back into our community.

On Saturday 28 March 2026, the Millennium Hotel will transform for what promises to be an incredible evening. Yes, it will be glamorous. Yes, there will be extraordinary auction items generously donated by local businesses. Yes, it will be a night to gather friends, colleagues and family and enjoy a well-earned celebration. But beneath the music and the sparkle is something far more meaningful.

It is a room full of people choosing to show up for one another.

Over the years, the Queenstown Ball has become one of the region’s most anticipated fundraising events. Businesses rally behind it. Families book tables together. Friends make it their annual night out. The energy in the room is unforgettable, but the true impact stretches far beyond one evening.

Cancer touches nearly every family in some way. We cannot always control that reality. What we can control is how we respond.

From what I have seen, the Cancer Society responds with compassion, professionalism and unwavering commitment. Supporting this event is one small but powerful way we can stand alongside them.

I would love to see as many of you there as possible. Let’s make it a night to remember, for all the right reasons.