Bringing Vital Balance to the Cancer Society Lions Lodge

Those who know me well will know that I lost my precious dad in May 2024 after many years of living with cancer. During his treatment, he sometimes stayed at the Cancer Society Lions Lodge on Lake Road when he travelled from Gisborne. I spent some time with him there, and those moments left a deep mark on my heart.

If you’ve ever been in a place like the Lodge, you’ll understand the feeling. Life slows down a little. People are navigating something incredibly hard. Whānau gather quietly around their loved ones, offering support, presence, and love. The Lodge is more than just a place to stay - it’s a place that holds understanding, care, and a sense of calm that is hard to describe unless you’ve experienced it.

It feels deeply meaningful to now be able to give back to that space. Jay and I will be bringing our Vital Balance brand of wellness and massage therapy to the Lodge every Tuesday and Wednesday. These sessions aren’t about fixing anything -they’re about offering gentle, supportive care, helping the body soften, the breath deepen, and providing a moment of ease when it’s needed most.

Sometimes, it’s the smallest moments of comfort that make the biggest difference. A quiet pause. A gentle touch. A moment of rest. These are the moments we hope to offer the people staying at the Lodge and their whānau - a chance to feel supported, grounded, and cared for.

For me, being able to offer this work there is also a quiet way of honouring my dad and giving back to a place that supported us during a tender time. Life, in its own gentle way, sometimes brings things full circle.

If you or someone you care about is staying at the Cancer Society Lions Lodge while receiving treatment, these sessions are now available. Each session is tailored to meet the body exactly where it is on that day - whether that’s a moment of quiet rest or gentle work to release tension that has built over a long journey.

Being able to bring Vital Balance to the Lodge is a privilege we hold with deep gratitude.

To book a session or learn more, please contact us at 07 855 2665 or speak to the Lodge staff during your stay. We look forward to supporting you in whatever way your body and mind need.