Celebrating 10 Years of volunteering
Four very important people were honoured today for their 10 years of service and dedication to the Leukaemia Foundation.
Since 2002 Lachlan McVicar, John Dickeson, Pauline Hancock and Peter Noakes have given their time to help the Foundation look after people and families affected by blood cancer in the Newcastle and Hunter area.
These individuals make it possible for the Foundation to carry out its work in the area and are part of the respected group of people who play vital roles in the community on behalf of not-for-profit organisations, like the Leukaemia Foundation.
Pauline decided to volunteer after her husband was diagnosed with a blood cancer. He had suggested to her that perhaps she could help out with the patient transport after hearing about the service provided by the Foundation. She has been driving people to and from their treatments ever since.
Lachlan, John and Peter heard about the Leukaemia Foundation opening an office in Newcastle and took the opportunity to volunteer their time with whatever needed doing. Lachlan and Peter both help out with maintaining the accommodation in Newcastle, driving patients to and from treatment and all three help out with fundraising activities. Lachlan and John were instrumental in setting up the patient accommodation here in Newcastle 10 years ago.
Australian volunteers are essential to not-for-profit organisations and like the 5 million Australians who play vital roles in our communities, the Foundation’s volunteers generously donate their time and energy to helping others. Each year these volunteers provide tens of thousands of hours of support through:
• Driving patients to and from treatment centres
• Providing administration assistance
• Maintaining our accommodation centres
• Raising awareness in local communities about the needs of patients with a blood cancer
• Raising much needed funds to continue our important work.
General Manager for the Leukaemia Foundation, Chris McMillan, presented each volunteer with a plaque to recognise their contribution and thanked them for their ongoing support.
“The volunteer work you do for the Leukaemia Foundation is vital. You make it possible for the services we provide to run smoothly. When I tell people that our patient transport program is completely staffed by volunteers they are amazed,” said Ms McMillan.
“Your dedication to the Foundation and the patients we help is truly inspiring. Thank you for your commitment and support – you are fundamental to what we do here and we are grateful for your continuing loyalty to the Foundation,” she continued.
ENDS
For more information, media details, photo opportunities or interviews, please contact:
Lisa Champion
Marketing & Communications Manager
02 9902 2225
