A special charity is being launched on Monday to help women who are fighting breast cancer.
An Auckland family wanted to help others after losing a loved one and the Sweet Louise charity is designed to enable women to take time out from the rigours of chemotherapy and enjoy different activities.
The services are free thanks to the charity set up to honour Louise Perkins, who died last year after losing her 12 year battle with breast cancer.
Her friends, family and the specialist who cared for her have launched Sweet Louise - a foundation in her name - to allow other women to live their lives to the fullest while they can, just as she did.
Oncologist Vernon Harvey says Louise made every day count.
"There were days when she didn't feel so well and that's when she used some of those facilities which are now available through Sweet Louise to help her get through the less good days," Dr Harvey says.
Women with metastatic breast cancer will get vouchers entitling them to log on to a website and book treats of their choice.
Jennifer Clark from the Louise Perkins Foundation says the facilities range from a massage to help with gardening.
"It just basically depends on where they are at the time and what helps them most and the voucher system enables them to choose," says Clark.
Thirty suppliers have come on board - offering everything from counselling and hypnosis to housework.
"If people feel good about themselves and about where they are and are able to treat themselves they will cope with the illness and the treatment much better and that's what we're all about," says Harvey.
The service will be rolled out nationwide as fundraising allows.
