Welcome to the second edition of our Friends of CCQ newsletter, and our first for 2018! I hope you have had a great start to the year and are feeling positive and excited for the year ahead.
Last year was another successful year for Cancer Council Queensland. We were proud to introduce several new services, research projects and programs all focussed on providing support to Queenslanders affected by cancer. We will build on these achievements in 2018, working hard to ensure we’re here for Queensland families every minute, every hour, every day.
I look forward to continuing our connection with you through Friends of CCQ. I am forever grateful for the amazing contribution you have made to our vision of a cancer free future.
With thanks,
Chris McMillan
Chief Executive Officer
On this page you will find information on:
2018/19 Research grant recipients
In January, we announced our 2018/19 research grant recipients, investing over $2 million in cancer research projects
10 researchers from leading institutions across Queensland will receive $200,000 over two years toward their projects, to improve treatment options and quality of life for those diagnosed with cancer.
The research grants will fund word-leading studies into various areas including immunotherapy, new ways to treat acute myeloid leukaemia, melanoma, breast cancer and lung cancer.
Investment in innovative, cutting-edge, ground-breaking research in Queensland is vital to improve survival rates for all types of cancer.
Cancer never rests, so neither do we.
Every day we’re investing in life-saving research to give Queenslanders the best chance of surviving cancer. By becoming a regular monthly donor you can help fund the next cancer breakthrough.
Watch how we are making a difference
We want you to be one of the first to see a new video we’ve created to let people know about the services we provide. The people featured are not actors; they’re real people with real stories who turned to Cancer Council for help. Your support makes services like these possible.
Australia Day Awards for CCQ volunteers
We are so proud of all our volunteers that received awards and nominations this Australia Day.
Kenneth Knight from Cairns was awarded Volunteer of the Year, Kenneth assists Cancer Council by providing transport services to regional Queenslander’s requiring treatment.
Andrea Boyd from Townsville and Jim Hope from Cairns were also nominated for Volunteer of the Year Awards.
Jim assists Cancer Council Queensland in a multitude of different roles from Transport Driver and Cancer Connect hospital based programs to Far North Queensland Prostate Cancer Support.
Andrea Boyd has been an integral part of our Relay For Life Team in Townsville and has done a phenomenal job fundraising for us!
Your efforts ensure we’re here for Queenslanders affected by cancer every minute, every hour, every day.
2017 highest fundraisers crowned
The CancerFREE Challenge rewards and acknowledges the top fundraisers in the state by inviting them to fundraise and compete for the rights to name a research grant. The winners were announced and thanked at a special awards ceremony in Brisbane earlier this month.
Cancer Council Queensland’s Redlands Volunteer Branch were crowned the highest CancerFREE Challenge fundraisers of 2017, after rai
sing an outstanding $105,000!
Redlands Branch president Tish Henderson said the title win was a credit to the volunteers who help and the residents of the Redlands who support the fundraising.
Patricia Snoddy and Tish Henderson from Redlands Branch with Cancer Council Queensland CEO Chris McMillan
Joshua Ramadani with Cancer Council Queensland CEO Chris McMillan
Joshua Ramadani (16) from Townsville took out second place and was named the highest fundraising individual after raising $104,000
The Cairns CancerFREE Challenge Team came in third after raising $59,000 for Cancer Council Queensland.
Carl Micale and Kevin Schramm from Cairns
Cancer Council Queensland CEO Chris McMillan congratulated CancerFREE Challenge participants on raising more than $1 million collectively for cancer control in 2017.
Meet Ruth Hooten, ESA Wig & Turban Service Volunteer
What is your role with CCQ?
I assist women who have lost their hair as a result of cancer treatment, offering free wigs and turbans in a time of need.
How long have you been volunteering with CCQ?
I have been a volunteer for five years, usually every Thursday, but it can vary.
Why did you decide to get involved with CCQ? What was your motivation for volunteering?
It all started when it was mentioned at a gathering that CCQ was looking for volunteers. There was a list of roles and the Wig and Turban Service caught my eye. Even though I didn’t have experience, the idea of fitting wigs for those that had undergone treatment appealed to me.
I have lost family members to cancer and was wanting to become more involved in the community before I retired. I continued working as an assistant in aged care in Rockhampton whilst volunteering for a year, then continued when I retired.
What do you love most about your volunteer role?
Helping ladies feel better about themselves! Last year I was involved in the Look Good Feel Better program, which involves showing women beauty techniques to help restore appearance and self-image after their treatment.
What has been the most inspiring or memorable moment you’ve had since starting with CCQ?
Ladies generally have somebody with them when they come and see me, either a friend or family member. One lady came in with her five-year-old son, she was young, in her thirties and had no family here. I helped her choose a wig and she left feeling so much more confident, that really touched me. We get some really happy moments in my role.
What is your hope for the future? What do you hope your volunteering will achieve?
My hope is continuing to be there to give help and encouragement to ladies who are going through such a tough time in their lives. I think it’s so important that people are aware of this service and the other services that CCQ offers.
What would you say to someone who was thinking about volunteering with CCQ?
Give it a go, come and find out what’s available. There are so many different areas and it is well worth your time.
What do you feel you’ve gained through volunteering for CCQ?
Knowledge of the services available, more of an understanding into the running of CCQ, and an insight into cancer. I didn’t realise there were so many different cancers and that children were affected so much.
Refer a friend
Please help us grow our volunteer community and refer a friend. We have so many great opportunities, why don’t you ask a friend to join the team?