Flower power to fight Myeloma

RONNIE SHORT

Jessica Moleta is holding a Multiple Myeloma Awareness fundraiser at the Living Arts Gallery in Tukurua this weekend. She will make bouquets of flowers and red velvet cupcakes to sell, plus red ribbon pins for koha (donation).

“I always wanted to do a flower fundraiser, for anything,” said Jess. “I thought last year I wanted to do one, but I didn’t have the right resources. So, I waited.”

As it turns out, March is Multiple Myeloma Awareness Month, and this year Jess is ready. All proceeds from her sales will go towards research and the facilities that care for myeloma patients.

Multiple myeloma is cancer of the plasma cells in the bone marrow. Although it can’t be cured, it is treatable. Treatment can often help control symptoms and improve quality of life.

Upon discovering that each different type of cancer is represented by a colour, Jess became aware that burgundy is the colour for multiple myeloma.

Being the florist she is, Jess sought a suitable flower to represent myeloma and came up with red dahlia. She then found that red dahlias symbolise “perseverance and the ability to overcome”.

Jess is well aware of just how much perseverance and strength is required to endure cancer treatment, due to her mum being diagnosed with multiple myeloma last year.

It all started when her mum had several blood tests that kept returning as anaemic, before the specialist asked about any family history of cancer. The family soon realised that multiple myeloma had shown itself across three generations on the maternal side.

Part of the treatment process involves blood transfusion. Jess also wants to “open people up” to the idea of donating blood and plasma. “That can be really helpful, not just for cancer patients,” she said.

As one of the creatives in the Living Arts collective, Jess sells bouquets of fresh or dried flowers and knitted items. She calls her business “Past, Present and Fuchsia” (which can be found on Facebook).

“My intention is to carry on with this idea and fundraise annually in March, when my red dahlias are in bloom.”

Jess’s fundraiser will run from 10am-4.30pm, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, at Living Arts Gallery.