<p>Ground breaking cancer research aimed at improving health outcomes for M&#257;ori communities has received a major boost with the latest funding award from Te K&#257;hui Matepukupuku o Aotearoa (the Cancer Society of New Zealand) and Hei &#256;huru M&#333;wai (M&#257;ori Cancer Research Leadership Aotearoa).</p>

<p>Danielle Sword (Mua&#363;poko, Te &#256;tiawa ki Whakarongotai, Ng&#257;i Tahu), whose innovative approach to cancer research puts M&#257;ori health at the forefront, has been awarded the M&#257;ori Cancer Research Award.</p>

<p>Danielle, who is supported in her PhD journey by Whakauae Research Services, the only Iwi-owned M&#257;ori health research organisation in Aotearoa New Zealand, says that she is deeply committed to investigating cancer treatment from a te ao M&#257;ori perspective.</p>

<p>&ldquo;I want to see our wh&#257;nau have a better chance at fighting against cancer. This award means I can pursue a PhD that will utilise both Western science and M&#257;tauranga M&#257;ori to explore the emerging cancer treatment CAR T-cell therapy and its potential impact on M&#257;ori,&rdquo; she says.</p>

<p>Sword notes her frequent attendance at tangihanga as a child has been a driving force behind her inspiration to work in health research.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Growing up I realised that, compared to our P&#257;keh&#257; wh&#257;nau, tangihanga were a regular event. My wh&#257;nau were passing away due to preventable illnesses and health-related issues far more than the wh&#257;nau of many of my peers,&rdquo; she says.</p>

<p>&ldquo;The support from Hei &#256;huru M&#333;wai and the Cancer Society with this kaupapa gives me more confidence in my mahi as a w&#257;hine M&#257;ori scientist and researcher. Along with the support of the research team at Whakauae, I can take the next steps in my mahi towards reducing inequity and reducing those frequent tangihanga,&rdquo; says Sword.</p>

<p>Tanya Allport, Whakauae Research Services Acting Director, says Sword&rsquo;s work will provide a valuable contribution to our understanding of the impact of new cancer treatment on M&#257;ori.</p>

<p>&ldquo;For too long now, decision-making in the health system has not considered the perspective of the people with the lowest health and wellbeing outcomes. M&#257;ori want to have a say in how the system should care for them &ndash; Danielle is one of the researchers making that happen,&rdquo; she says.</p>

<p>&ldquo;As an Iwi owned and operated venture, Whakauae has a unique voice in the health research sphere. We are thrilled that Danielle&rsquo;s hard work has been recognised and the award she has received will lead to better outcomes for wh&#257;nau M&#257;ori,&rdquo; says Allport.</p>

<p>The M&#257;ori Cancer Researcher Award is the result of a partnership between the Cancer Society and Hei &#256;huru M&#333;wai.</p>

<p>&ldquo;The award shows the advances that can be made possible for wh&#257;nau in the health system when Western organisations work in collaboration with Kaupapa M&#257;ori organisations, just as Whakauae Research is working in partnership with the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research to support Danielle&rsquo;s mahi. The commitment to each other demonstrated by this award highlights how the health system could operate for the benefit of all New Zealanders,&rdquo; says Allport.</p>
