Michael was the eldest child of three. <\/p>\n
In 2017, the Pilaars started accruing and investing money for Michael\u2019s fund through the Geyser Community Foundation.<\/p>\n
To date, 27 scholarships of $500 have been given to young musicians from Rotorua and Taup\u014d to cover the costs of tuition, instruments and music, travelling to lessons and attending music camps.<\/p>\n
Pilaar said it had made \u201cquite a significant difference\u201d, especially for those who felt more encouraged to pursue their music.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s been really heartwarming for us, and I can\u2019t help feel that Michael would be absolutely chuffed by that.\u201d<\/p>\n
She said Michael \u201cloved life\u201d and would love to see other people enjoying music.<\/p>\n
Pilaar said they held an annual concert in September which helped contribute money to the fund. They held two additional concerts last year.<\/p>\n
\nMusician Michael Pilaar died from melanoma in 2017. Photo \/ Supplied<\/p>\n
Pilaar said the memoir was a \u201cGod-inspired and led project\u201d which she began writing in 2022 and finished three and a half years later.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a really emotional journey, and by the end of it, I was well and truly ready to be finished with it.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would read over parts talking about Michael\u2019s pain and I would cry every jolly time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Part of the reason she wrote it was to share Michael\u2019s story.<\/p>\n
\u201cMichael touched a lot of people in his short life and there\u2019s been a lot of people who I felt would\u2019ve liked to know more about his story.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe other reason is that I firmly believe that while we can\u2019t stop what happens to us in life, we can choose how we respond to those challenges.<\/p>\n
\u201cGrief, change and loss is something that everybody experiences … \u201d<\/p>\n
Rotorua mother Elizabeth Pilaar’s book ‘The Choice is Yours. A Mother\u2019s Journey through Family, Faith and Grief’ was published in November. Photo \/ Supplied<\/p>\n
She wanted to bring hope to people by showing they had \u201cchoices\u201d during dark times.<\/p>\n
The book also covered her reflections of motherhood, homeschooling, raising a musical, faith-filled family, and the dangers and risk factors of melanoma.<\/p>\n
She said MoleMap New Zealand was keen to promote her book, which she found \u201cincredibly humbling\u201d.<\/p>\n
Pilaar said the book was available at several Rotorua bookstores and the Rotorua Library.<\/p>\n
Melanoma \u2018fairly rare\u2019 in young people<\/p>\n
MoleMap New Zealand operations manager and MoleMap Australia and New Zealand clinical lead Lara Wild said the company had promoted Pilaar\u2019s book in its latest newsletter.<\/p>\n
Wild said melanoma was \u201cfairly rare\u201d in adolescents.<\/p>\n
\u201cMichael\u2019s story really reminds us how important it is to check anything that\u2019s different.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wild said the Rotorua community consisted of many people who worked outside, played sport and enjoyed spending time in the sun.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re not often very good at remembering to reapply sunscreen and to wear good protective clothing, hats with a brim … \u201d<\/p>\n
She said Michael\u2019s story was also an important reminder to try to \u201cminimise our own personal risk\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cHer book outlines a great story around the way families can navigate their way through some horrific times but come out of it with great strength and great courage.\u201d<\/p>\n