JJ's greatest challenge - ‘I'M DOING THIS FOR MY FAMILY!'
Woman’s Day Magazine NZ|September 27, 2021
The actress reveals the personal heartache driving her on Treasure Island
Sebastian van der Zwan
JJ's greatest challenge - ‘I'M DOING THIS FOR MY FAMILY!'

Like her Celebrity Treasure Island castmate Edna, actress JJ Fong has a very close connection to her chosen charity, Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand.

“My auntie passed away from leukaemia about eight years ago, so I’m doing this for my cousins,” reveals the Creamerie and Step Dave star, 35. “My father’s younger sister was a single mum and they had to look after her when they were in their early 20s. That was really hard on the family.”

JJ has fond memories of her aunt cooking her specialty, schnitzel and mashed potatoes, when she’d go for sleepovers with her cousins. When her aunt got sick, it was JJ’s turn in the kitchen, making fresh fruit and vege juices to bring to the hospital.

“Watching my dad grieving was the hardest thing for me and seeing my cousins taking up responsibility was something that I’ll never forget,” she says. “Grief changes the entire family.”

Coincidentally, JJ’s campmate Brynley Stent is playing for the same charity because her mother died of the blood cancer non-Hodgkin lymphoma when the comedienne was 18.

“Sharing our stories on the island was a comfort to me,” shares JJ. “She lost her mum at such a young age and I really admire her strength throughout the show.”

Denne historien er fra September 27, 2021-utgaven av Woman’s Day Magazine NZ.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra September 27, 2021-utgaven av Woman’s Day Magazine NZ.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA WOMAN’S DAY MAGAZINE NZSe alt
TREASURE & TRAUMA
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

TREASURE & TRAUMA

The launch of the new season of Celebrity Treasure Island doubled as an eighth wedding anniversary celebration for contestant Millen Baird and his wife Siobhan Marshall, who came fourth on the show back in 2022.

time-read
1 min  |
August 31, 2024
JUDGE JAY-JAY
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

JUDGE JAY-JAY

Radio diva Jay-Jay Feeney delivers her verdict on your biggest dilemmas

time-read
2 mins  |
August 31, 2024
CASEY'S BABY JOY 'OUR GIRL IS ALREADY SO LOVED'
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

CASEY'S BABY JOY 'OUR GIRL IS ALREADY SO LOVED'

The Te Puke gym owner refused to let a devastating accident stop her from becoming a mother

time-read
3 mins  |
August 31, 2024
DEAD FUNNY! SHOSHANA'S GOING SOLO
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

DEAD FUNNY! SHOSHANA'S GOING SOLO

The Emmy Award-winning writer is starring in a macabre new comedy

time-read
3 mins  |
August 31, 2024
TWO RAW SISTERS BABY MAKES THREE!
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

TWO RAW SISTERS BABY MAKES THREE!

Rosa and Margo have a new cookbook and bundle of joy on the way

time-read
3 mins  |
August 31, 2024
HOME AND AWAY'S NEW MÃORI STAR
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

HOME AND AWAY'S NEW MÃORI STAR

The son of a Kiwi sporting Legend, Cantona Stewart is making waves in Summer Bay

time-read
2 mins  |
August 31, 2024
TV STAR AIDEE 'THE NIGHT I ALMOST DIED'
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

TV STAR AIDEE 'THE NIGHT I ALMOST DIED'

The actress and director opens up about her terrifying ordeal

time-read
3 mins  |
August 31, 2024
CARMEL SEPULONI  I'VE ALWAYS BEEN A FIGHTER!
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

CARMEL SEPULONI I'VE ALWAYS BEEN A FIGHTER!

Our former deputy PM the lessons she's learnt in politics on CTI

time-read
3 mins  |
August 31, 2024
KENNEDY & SOLLY'S ROMANTIC RACE TO THE ALTAR
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

KENNEDY & SOLLY'S ROMANTIC RACE TO THE ALTAR

The Black Ferns co-captain and her rugby star husband organised the ir nuptials in just five days!

time-read
5 mins  |
August 31, 2024
THE BRAD & GEORGE SHOW is back!
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

THE BRAD & GEORGE SHOW is back!

Their lovable bromance is stealing the spotlight in Venice!

time-read
1 min  |
August 31, 2024