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Hana Olds, 12, was so moved by a documentary about Hutt Hospital surgeon Professor Swee Tan and his cancer research, she has written a book about him to raise funds for the work - Source: Fairfax
She will be an author at the age of 12, but Wellington schoolgirl Hana Olds doesn't want the proceeds - instead she'd like a cure for cancer.
In March last year, Hana was so moved by a documentary about Hutt Hospital surgeon Professor Swee Tan and his cancer research that she decided to raise money for the work.
"When I saw it, it really inspired me, because the way he acted towards babies was so beautiful and his caring attitude was amazing, it really made me want to help him," Hana said.
"I wanted to do something that would get big money for him, to help him get the research done. Mum said, 'Well why don't you write a book?' and at first it was a crazy idea, but I liked it."
Hana had some experience at fundraising, holding a garage sale at age eight to raise more than $2000 to prevent the mistreatment of elephants in captivity in Thailand.
Because Tan was so busy, Hana found it hard to pin him down - but eventually persuaded him to come to Petone Primary School and talk to her class in the Gifted Kids Programme. While he was there, she pitched her book idea.
Though he had requests from authors to write his biography, Tan said he had turned them down because he thought he was too young.
But he couldn't say no to Hana's request of a story for young adults.
"She asked me the question, then she said, 'Look into my eyes,' and I blinked, I couldn't turn her down. She is an exceptional girl, isn't she, she really has a plan."
Now, almost a year since its inception, If Persistence was a Person: The Inspirational Story of Swee Tan is set for release in May, to coincide with the opening of the Gillies McIndoe Research Institute in new Victoria University premises in Wellington.
The writing was time-consuming, taking much longer than the three weeks Hana anticipated.
"It was a bit hard, like trying to write the book after school and then going to school the next day. It would be much easier staying at home the whole time."
Although it is "surreal" thinking that she will be an author, Hana isn't sure she will pursue writing as a career.
"For five minutes I want to be a farmer, for some minutes I want to be a fashion designer, a scientist, a doctor, there are so many things I want to do. All I know is whatever field I choose when I get old, I want to make a difference to the people around me."
Mum Bronwen Olds said the family were behind Hana's goals. They knew people who had suffered cancer, so the project was close to home.
"It's just supporting our kids, and believing in their passions."
Tan has won worldwide accolades for his research into the treatment of strawberry birthmarks, which has implications for finding a cure for cancer.
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