Whybin\TBWA New Zealand develops art chair auction for Bowel Cancer Awareness Month

Whybin\TBWA NZ has put its creative weight behind Bowel Cancer New Zealand (BCNZ) through an art chair auction.

In a fight against the nation’s most common cancer, the creative company have partnered with renowned New Zealand artists, including Dick Frizzell, Flox, Shane Hansen, Reuben Paterson and Boh Runga, and directed them to apply their substantial talents to the humble chair.

Says Tim Huse, creative director, Whybin\TBWA who developed the idea: “Each artist has created a unique work of art that represents the diverse range of New Zealanders affected by Bowel Cancer.

“Our supporting artists have been incredible, not only donating their talent but also their time and influence to raise awareness for New Zealand’s most deadly cancer.”

The art chairs launched at an exclusive media-only event on Thursday night, and are now being auctioned on Trade Me until 12th June to raise money and awareness for Bowel Cancer New Zealand (BCNZ).

Says Rebekah Heal, executive officer, BCNZ: “We are excited to have Whybin\TBWA working with our patient-led charity. Their Art Chair concept is one of quality and depth.”

The facts about bowel cancer are sobering. According to the Ministry of Health, New Zealand carries one of the highest incidences of bowel cancer in the developed world. Every year more than 3,000 New Zealanders are diagnosed with bowel cancer and over 100 Kiwis lose their lives to the disease each month. Bowel cancer is curable in more than 75 percent of cases if caught early, but the country does not yet have a national screening programme.

To find out more and to bid on an art chair, please visit www.artchairs.co.nz between the 2nd – 12th June. People can also donate to BCNZ by visiting http://www.beatbowelcancer.org.nz/.

Bowel Cancer Symptoms include:

Change of bowel habit:

Recent persistent change of bowel habit e.g. looser more diarrhoea-like motions; feeling unable to go or having a sense of incomplete emptying; going or trying to go to the toilet more often. Change of bowel habit is especially important if you also have bleeding.

Rectal bleeding:

Rectal bleeding that persists accompanied by other symptoms such as, straining with hard stools, sore bottom, lumps and itching.

Rectal bleeding in over 60s – piles in older people can be hiding more serious symptoms, so it is especially important to get this investigated.

Other symptoms of concern include:

Unexplained anaemia found by your GP.

A lump or mass in your abdomen felt by you or your GP.

Persistent, severe abdominal pain.

Client: Bowel Cancer New Zealand

BCNZ Board member: Sarah Derrett

Campaign Title: Chair Auction

Web Developer: Alex Murton