National Volunteer Week - 10 to 16 May
National Volunteer Week from 10 to 16 May gives the Leukaemia Foundation the opportunity to thank the many volunteers who play a vital role in our Vision to Cure and Mission to Care and encourage more people to volunteer their time and talents.
In 2009, Leukaemia Foundation volunteers provided on averageover 950 hours of support a week right across Australia, including:
· Driving patients to and from treatment centres
· Providing administration assistance
· Maintaining our accommodation centres
· Raising awareness in local communities about the needs of people with blood cancers and related blood disorders
· Raising much needed money to fund our important work.
With Almost 10,000 Australians expected to be diagnosed with a blood cancer this year and 40,000 people living with leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma diseases in our community today, the demand on the Foundation’s services is growing rapidly and the need for more volunteers is becoming more real.
If you are interested in joining us as one of our valued volunteers, please call 1800 620 420 or click here.
------------------------------------------------------------
Volunteers in Action
Leukaemia Foundation volunteers take great pride in their work. Here are some of our many volunteers who are integral to our Vision to Cure and Mission to Care.
John Jongeling has been volunteering for the Foundation in Tasmania since 2002 and feels fulfilled in helping out after beating non-Hodgkin lymphoma, not once but twice.“I find volunteering at the Leukaemia Foundation very satisfying, helping people who are worse off than we are” said John.Friends, Bob Oataway and George Inkster have been volunteering for the Foundation in Victoria since 2001 and 2002. Bob was one of the original patient transport drivers and now assists with office duties.“I’m very grateful for what I have and would like to give back to the community” said Bob.George and Bob are now familiar faces in the Victorian office, they are there each and every Wednesday ready to help.“I retired and wanted to help out a charity. I found the Leukaemia Foundation to be an exciting and invigorating charity. I have enjoyed seeing the Foundation grow and change over the years I’ve been here” says George.When Jane Morey was faced with her daughter’s leukaemia diagnosis, she understood the need for help and has been assisting the Foundation in the ACT with patient transport and fundraising events for the past five years. Jane also took on the role of Blue Ambassador at Light the Night in Canberra in 2009.“I enjoy all aspects of the Volunteering role but the best thing for me is being able to give back some of the support that we received when our family needed it”, said Jane.In NSW, Helen Hallam has been an integral part of the team in Newcastle since 2004. Whether she’s out in the community selling Leukaemia Foundation merchandise or helping out with admin duties in the office, the team doesn’t know what they would do without her!“I did not realise until I volunteered just how much the Foundation supports its patients and it really feel good to be part of that. While looking after my brother who died of cancer several years ago I discovered just how important it was to have a backup and I feel that the Leukaemia Foundation does that and more” said Helen.Some volunteers aren’t always in the public eye but that doesn’t mean the work they do is any less valuable. Jackie Saunders has been volunteering with the Foundation for 6 years and assists with bulk mail-outs and packing merchandise kits.“I decided to offer my time so that I could give something back to the community in my semi-retirement. I chose the Leukaemia Foundation because it is a great cause and I value the work that the Foundation does in providing care and support for patients and their families when they need it most. It is also a great social activity because I have met so many other lovely people who also volunteer”.In SA, Bianca Doolan and Kristy Aspinall have been heavily involved in volunteering for major fundraising events World’s Greatest Shave and Light the Night for the past three years. They were inspired to help after their friend was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) at the age of nineteen.“Volunteering gives you a chance to make a difference. By working as a team we aim to raise as much money as we can to assist patients and families in need. We are proud to be associated with the Leukaemia Foundation and the hard work they do,” say the girls.Alan Peterson has provided his service to the Foundation in the Northern Territory for two years. Alan was driven around for seven months by Leukaemia Foundation patient transport volunteers and after seeing what a wonderful job the Foundation and its volunteers did, he wanted to give back to help others.Alan thinks the best thing about volunteering is being able to “help people and provide positivity”.In WA, Cyril Poots has been volunteering for almost two years with the patient transport service and truly feels like a part of the team. After he retired, Cyril wanted to give back to the community and encourages others to do the same.“Don’t hesitate, it’s a great thing to do and you will get more out of it than what you put in. It’s one of the best things I have ever done. I get to meet a lot of nice people and knowing that you can brighten their day with a simple smile feels good” said Cyril.Leukaemia Foundation volunteers are always there with a friendly face to help patients and their families. Their welcome contribution to the Foundation’s Vision to Cure and Mission to Care is truly appreciated.
If you want to be a part of this great network of volunteers, contact your local Leukaemia Foundation office on 1800 500 088 today.
