No one has written more – or better – for BayBuzz over the years than Bridget Freeman-Rock. I consider her a co-creator of our brand, establishing its voice and authority.

Starting back in October 2014, with a piece on Cape Sanctuary, Bridget has written an astonishing 83 articles for BayBuzz, most of them in-depth features. From every conceivable Hawke’s Bay environmental issue … to housing and hunger … to straw homes … to exploration of HB’s special corners, best tramps and most interesting personalities. 

And on myriad health issues from ‘the system’ to mental health to Covid to cancer.

And it’s her personal tenacious battle with cancer that prompts this reflection and appeal.

She’s been battling for seven years now, enduring incredibly debilitating treatments, but soon faces her biggest challenge yet in the form of an extensive surgery hard to comprehend.

Through it all she’s been amazingly tenacious, a trait I saw often as she neared the end of a writing assignment, lamenting that she was overwhelmed with interviews and information and alerting me that she just wouldn’t possibly be able to pull it off. But she always did … with perfection.

Bridget’s impending surgery on April 10 in Christchurch and extensive aftercare will overwhelm her family’s resources. The ‘state’ will attend to the medical portion, but there will be a heap of other expenses to cover, with her bread-winner income lost.

So, this simple appeal to the BayBuzz community, if you can help out Bridget, please contribute to:

https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/bridgets-battle-against-cancer