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To celebrate 30 years of Volunteer Voice we are featuring two very special volunteers
Renee Coroneo and Liz Harris have been volunteering with Cancer Council Queensland for over 30 years!
Renee and Liz started volunteering at our office in Water St, Fortitude Valley, back when we were called the Queensland Cancer Fund. The office was small, and we only had a couple of volunteers. They then moved with us up the road to Gregory Terrace where we converted the old bowling alley to the office we are in today.
Renee and Liz both became admin volunteers as they wanted to do something different and the position descriptions sounded right up their alley! So, every second Wednesday for over 30 years they have been giving their valuable time to the cause, without hesitation.
In 1978 Liz was diagnosed with cancer, it was a very difficult time, but after her treatment she was back volunteering with us again. She believes that meeting lots of people and doing some good whilst having a cup of tea and a chat is worth it’s weight in gold.
Renee’s hope for the future, is that one day there will be no cancer, so people don’t have to go through the pain and worry that the disease brings.
30 years of achievements!
Check out the below timeline of key milestones over the last 30 years.
Plus a short video to celebrate, some of you might even remember these editions from the past, we hope you enjoy it!
Your voice
In last month’s edition we asked you to tell us your ‘Why’ – here are your responses!
Ann one of our dedicated volunteers on the Sunshine Coast wrote, “More importantly, why not? Every person has had a loved one affected by cancer, if not themselves. Consequently, why not?”
Emily, Volunteer Intern, People and Safety Brisbane wrote, “I am studying human resources and wanted to get some real-world experience. The work counts towards my university units, this combined with working with a best practice not for profit where I give back to the community is perfect”.
Keely, Volunteer Recruitment Assistant wrote, “I wanted to volunteer because I feel that everyone has been impacted by cancer at some point. I believe in CCQ’s mission so when the opportunity to volunteer through university occurred, I jumped at it. In turn, I have been able to contribute to the community as well as gain work experience. Being a Volunteer Recruitment Assistant directly links to my degree of Human Resource Management and has given me valuable practical experience.”
In next month’s edition we would love to know what your favorite thing about volunteering is. It could be in the form of a poem, short video or a paragraph in 250 words or less that we can share in the next edition. If you wish to remain anonymous please let us know and email your responses through to volunteer@cancerqld.org.au or mail them to: Volunteer Team, Cancer Council Queensland, PO Box 201, Spring Hill, QLD, 4004 by the 15th March. Thank you!
Volunteer profile
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.
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.
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.
Supporter survey
Your support already shows how much you care about helping Queenslanders survive and cope with cancer, but we would like to learn more about you, and why you choose to support Cancer Council and help fund vital cancer research and support services. Will you please complete this quick supporter survey to help us?
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 here