Cancer and children

www.cancercouncil.com.au | Volunteer Hotline: (02) 9334 1813

Powerful Partnerships and Cancer Council NSW

VolunteerVoice

Autumn Edition March 2013

Cancer has an impact on the whole Australian community, including those less able to understand it: our children. Cancer does not discriminate by age. More than 600 children are diagnosed with cancer every year. Include youngsters from 13 to 18 years of age, it’s 900 annually.

Childhood cancers are less common than adult cancers, but the disease also touches the lives of those many children whose parents, siblings or friends are living with cancer.

Parents and guardians can find a wealth of useful information online about childhood cancers and ways to discuss cancer with children. Here is a selection of helpful Internet resources for those wanting more information.

A broad selection of relevant sites from around the world can be found at www.cancervic.org.au/about/links/kids-websites or, directly visit:

• American Cancer Society: Cancer in Children. Comprehensive and detailed

information about childhood cancers, treatments and life with cancer. www.cancer.org/cancer/cancerinchildren/index

•Bear Essentials. American site with activities and tools to help younger children cope with a parent’s cancer journey. www.bear-essentials.org

•Macmillan: Talking to children about cancer. UK resource detailing how to talk to children of different ages about cancer and how to explain various situations.

www.macmillan.org.uk/Cancer information/Livingwithandafter cancer/Relationshipscommunication/Talking tochildren/Talkingtochildren.aspx

Australia-based institutions on the web• Children’s Cancer Institute

Australia. This medical research institute is dedicated to finding causes, prevention and treatment for childhood cancers. www.ccia.org.au

• CanTeen. The Australian organisation for young people living with cancer, associated with Now What. www.canteen.org.au

• Now What. Online community run by Canteen for young people to share their stories of “taking on cancer”. www.nowwhat.org.au

• Cancer Connections. Cancer Council NSW’s online community with active discussion forums, support groups and blogs, including for young people and families. www.cancerconnections.com.au

Editorial team: Michael McGennan, Lucy Mowat and Amanda Jones. Feedback and contributions to volunteervoice@nswcc.org.au

Timeline’s unfolding daysCancer Council’s online Timeline invites you to learn about the 2013’s unfolding activities, campaigns, and developing partnerships that daily expand our shared mission to defeat cancer.

Timeline allows you to keep up with the ‘calendar’ of Cancer Council’s year alongside everyone else giving time and commitment to our cause. Find out more about Timeline on pages 16 and 17.

http://beatcancer.cancer council.com.au

Cancer Council’s Talking With Kids About Cancer.

Explaining cancer to children• Cancer Council NSW:

Talking to kids about cancer. Helpful booklet from Cancer Council NSW explaining how and why to talk about cancer to children. www.cancer council.com.au/2387

If we have missed a site that you have discovered and would like to recommend for people dealing with cancer in the lives of children, please forward addresses for sites to volunteervoice@nswcc.org.au

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2013 is already proving to be an exciting year in the world of volunteers at Cancer Council NSW.

We have developed and rolled out a training program for volunteer managers, expanded Volunteer Voice from its regular quarterly print edition to include a monthly e-newsletter, as well as beginning a new volunteer recognition program. This program allows for any staff, volunteer, or member of the public, to nominate volunteers to be recognised for their contribution or service to Cancer Council NSW.

These contributions might be great or small, for volunteers that have been with us for 20 years or come on board just last month, who help us in the office, who are on a Relay For Life committee, or many other capacities. These awards will be handed out on a monthly basis. We look forward to seeing your nominations rolling in.

Later in 2013 we will be looking at developing a more formalized social-media presence for volunteers. Another project that the volunteer team will be exploring is the changing demographics of volunteers, how to

involve more young people, and building partnerships with other organisations. We’ll be exploring opportunities of different ways people can volunteer, including expanding use of professionally skilled persons, work placements, and internships for people who wish to gain experience in their chosen field of study, etc.

With all of these exciting projects we are working towards, as always we look forward to your input. If you have any ideas you’d like to share, please email volunteervoice@nswcc.org.au

Volunteers and end of life carers

This year, a research partnership between Cancer Council NSW, the University of Western Sydney (UWS), Calvary Centre for Palliative Care Research ACT, and CSIRO, has provided a unique opportunity for Cancer Council volunteers from eight different regional offices to join the research team as field researchers.

Caring at end of life explores the nature and effect of informal community care networks for people dying at home. In the second year of this three-year long study, 12 Cancer Council volunteers have been trained

to conduct in-depth individual interviews with current or past end of life carers in their local communities.

“Cancer Council is well known for the high calibre of its volunteers,” says Niki Read, the project’s UWS research assistant. Participants “bring a depth of personal and professional experiences that benefit the study immensely. We anticipate that the volunteers will get a lot out of it, too. The feedback has been great.”

Christine Lamb (pictured above, left) began volunteering at Cancer Council’s Central Coast office last year, coordinating the Community Speakers Program. Trained locally for this study, Christine says, “I am happy to put my caring experiences and degree in Social Sciences to such good use in this research project. I’m looking forward to conducting the interviews with carers over the next year.”

We’ll keep you updated on how the volunteers go out in the field. In the next twelve months they will interview

up to 60 past and current end of life carers right across NSW.

To learn more about the study visit www.caringatendoflife.wordpress.com or call Niki Read at UWS on (02) 4376 0368.

Have a look here too: http://blogs. crikey.com.au/croakey/2012/11/30/tackling-the-gap-between-where-people-want-to-die-at-home-and-current-practice

Subscribe to your electronically delivered monthly email supplement to Volunteer Voice, e-VV, by sending an email to volunteervoice@nswcc.org.au. Stay up to date with information for Cancer Council’s volunteers, and contribute your own volunteering ideas more directly than ever before.

Caring at end of life explores the nature and effect of informal community

care networks for people dying

at home.

Update from Volunteer Development Advisor, Meghan Hermann

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New partnership for Closing the Gap

Further steps towards reconciliation

Cancer Council NSW’s Central & Southern Sydney Region recently signed an historic agreement with three community organisations to improve health outcomes for the local Aboriginal community at La Perouse.

Guriwal Aboriginal Corporation, the La Perouse Aboriginal & United Men’s Association, Eastern Sydney Medicare Local, and Cancer Council NSW, have formally come together to reduce cancer risks and improve access to health services locally.

The four-way partnership will deliver a series of cancer awareness and prevention forums, and provide practical support for a fruit and veggie service run by and for the

local community. It will also ensure access to culturally appropriate information about cancer, and will explore the potential for a new Aboriginal cancer support group for the local community.

A Cancer Council Regional Programs Coordinator will also be based at La Perouse for half a day each fortnight. Each of these aspects of the Agreement stem from ideas generated during a Yarn Up consultation held early 2012.

“Cancer affects many local Aboriginal people, families and the whole community, so it’s time we joined forces to fight this,” said Karen Cooley, Manager, Guriwal Aboriginal Corporation.

Garry Ardler of the La Perouse Men’s Group acknowledged that “Men often don’t like to discuss their health, but we are hoping this collaboration will encourage more blokes to not only talk about, but also take action to improve, their health and wellbeing”.

This is the first such agreement that any Aboriginal organisation from the La Perouse community has entered into with a non-Aboriginal organisation, and the signing was attended by local Elders, the Mayor and Deputy Mayor, representatives of the Land Council, and other local residents and service providers.

Artwork by Georgina Altona (Kamilaroi People).

Signatories and witnesses to a significant development.

At Cancer Council NSW we feel that we’ve come a long way, and yet there are many steps ahead on our reconciliation journey. Listed below are a few of the activities and processes that we’ve already completed as a demonstration of our commitment to Aboriginal engagement in the shared mission to beat cancer.

• Aboriginal Patterns of Cancer Care project – examining the cancer experiences of Aboriginal people in NSW.

• Aboriginal Cancer Journeys book and facts sheet, in partnership with the Aboriginal Health & Medical Research Council – stories of kinship, hope and survival.

• Aboriginal health worker training in cancer, in partnership with the Aboriginal Health College.

• Quit Smoking training for Aboriginal Medical Services; attending Close the Gap and other cultural events in communities across NSW; engaging an Aboriginal employee through the Australian Government’s Wage

Connect program; and maintaining a partnership with an Aboriginal service for a cancer support group.

• Tobacco control projects, including funding support for the BREATHE Project.

• Surviving Cancer: Four stories of hope from Aboriginal people DVD, based on interviews with people participating in Survivorship Workshop 2010.

• Extensive consultation with stakeholders about nutrition programs for Aboriginal people.

Read more and download the Reconciliation Action Plan brochure at www.cancercouncil.com.au/63911

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Cancer Council NSW’s new Star Volunteer awards recognise the invaluable contribution that volunteers make to the organisation and to the community. As a volunteer, you are among the approximately 32,000 people who volunteer with Cancer Council NSW each year, bringing your enthusiasm and commitment to a range of roles, from fundraising to transporting cancer patients, to assisting with providing information and ‘just being there’ for cancer patients and their loved ones at hospitals and treatment facilities operating in partnership with Cancer Council.

Cancer Council NSW simply could not do what we do without our volunteers. The Star Volunteer awards recognise and highlight the amazing work that our volunteers make in helping us to defeat cancer.

Each month a volunteer will be chosen as the Star Volunteer. We ask you to participate in this process. Go online to www.cancercouncil.com.au/67850 to nominate a fellow volunteer whose work you’d like to recognise.

The Star Volunteer’s profile will be posted online, and displayed throughout Cancer Council headquarters and regional offices. The award recipient will also receive a certificate, and will be congratulated by Regina Sutton, Cancer Council NSW CEO.

We encourage members of the public, Cancer Council NSW employees and fellow volunteers, to nominate a Cancer Council NSW volunteer who has shown exceptional commitment to their role.

The Star Volunteer awards recognise and highlight the amazing work that our volunteers make in helping us to defeat cancer.

Elizabeth Liu kindly volunteered her story and time to Cancer Council to help spread the message about skin cancer, the importance of being Sun Smart, and the impact of Bequests in our mission to defeat cancer. So far she has featured in a mail campaign, on our Facebook page, and there are more activities in the pipeline.

At 44 years of age, Elizabeth, mother of two teenage boys, faced the devastating news she had Stage 4 melanoma. “I was totally unprepared when the doctor gave me the news. I waited until I got back to the car

before bursting into tears. I had no idea how I was going to tell my husband, or how our boys would cope once they found out their mum has cancer.”

Before Elizabeth underwent surgery to remove the melanoma it had already metastasised into her bloodstream. Stage 4 melanoma is the most severe and aggressive form of melanoma. Without early detection and treatment patients are given very little chance for survival. “Since surgery the only way for me to manage this is with regular checkups hoping I get the best results.

“Having seen firsthand what cancer has done to me, my family and friends are always out spreading the word to help raise awareness. Even my three year old niece runs around playgroup telling all the kids to put their hats on.”

“I’m so grateful to those before me who left a bequest to Cancer Council NSW. It’s because of their kindness and generosity that Cancer Council are able to fund life-saving research, research that’s allowed me to be here today. And I couldn’t think of a greater way to help protect the health of my boys and leave a legacy for the future

A personal plan to save lives

Star Volunteer awards

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generations of my family even after I’m gone.”

Are you committed to helping defeat cancer? You can help by leaving a small gift in your Will. Your gift will help fund vital research that will bring the defeat of cancer closer for future generations.

To learn more please contact Mary Saffo on (02) 9334 1844, or if you would like to share your story please visit “My Cancer Journey” on www.cancercouncil.com.au and complete the form.

“I’m so grateful to those before me who left a bequest to Cancer Council NSW. It’s because

of their kindness and generosity that

Cancer Council are able to fund life-saving research, research that’s allowed me to be here today”

Community partnership from the plate upWe know that eating enough fruit and vegetables is essential for good health. Cancer Council’s Eat It To Beat It program is helping educate families to eat more fruit and vegetables to help prevent cancer and other lifestyle diseases.

Eat It To Beat It is a multi-strategy intervention program aimed at providing parents with practical, simple, budget-friendly ways to eat more fruit and vegetables every day. Eat It To Beat It workshops are run by dedicated volunteers to reach large numbers of parents in many schools.

Debbie Whittle (pictured right) is a local volunteer in Northern Sydney for Eat It To Beat It. Extremely enthusiastic for helping parents and their children learn about nutrition and overcoming some of the barriers to eating more fruit and veggies, Debbie has always been passionate about the benefits of good nutrition.

“It amazes me that many people still don’t see the connection between a poor diet and cancer. The Eat It To Beat It program targets parents of primary school age children because good eating habits learned as a child can set them up for a lifetime of healthy eating.

“It’s a sad fact that many families fall short of eating the recommended two serves of fruit and five vegetables every day. We have to try and change this, and we can do it over time. It must start with those who shop and prepare the food for our children,” says Debbie.

If you would like more information on the Eat It To Beat It program visit www.cancercouncil.com.au/eatittobeatit

“... good eating habits learned as a child can set them up for a life time of healthy eating”

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Volunteer’s Voice

Alison ToddVolunteer role:

Community Speaker, Fundraiser.

What does your volunteer work involve?

As an Advocate on ‘Unfinished Business’, Cancer Council’s campaign calling for State Government policy to see that all primary schools are required to implement current, comprehensive sun protection measures, I have successfully lobbied my local MP to make representation to the Minister for Education. I am also a part of the campaign’s Strategic Team as a volunteer representative.

“In my Community Speaker role I deliver presentations to the community on issues relating to cancer. This covers research, prevention, support and advocacy services that Cancer Council provides.

“As a fundraiser I work at Relay For Life and other Cancer Council events.”

Why did you choose to volunteer at Cancer Council NSW?

“My late husband died of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. At first I was looking for answers. The questions still remain, but are no longer my main focus. What I have found here is friendship, and like-minded people who are working towards a cure for cancer. The courage and resilience of the people I have met has given me new-found strength.”

Background

“I have a wonderful second husband, three daughters and four grandchildren. Professionally, I worked as a Hospitality TAFE teacher until retiring recently.”

What do you enjoy most about volunteering?

“The opportunity to work in a team, with people who have a positive outlook in life. I have been involved in a variety of events, enjoying new challenges knowing that Cancer Council staff are always there to help.”

What work have you done at Cancer Council NSW that you are most proud of or excited about?

“I have been with Cancer Council for 22 years. In the beginning I sold daffodils by the stem, and wore the ‘Sid Seagull’ suit. As I’ve watched the organisation grow, I have grown in my

roles, too, and I am proud to be part of this ongoing voice for our community. I am excited about every step taken to beat cancer.

“Every dollar I raise, and every hour I put in to volunteering goes to Cancer Council’s mission. I know the long-term effect cancer has on families, and it would be a dream to be alive when Cancer Council achieves our mission and defeat cancer, and we will!”

What would you tell your friends about volunteering at Cancer Council NSW?

“I tell my friends that I volunteer with a team of like-minded people who are supportive of each other, fun to be with, but most of all working hard to defeat cancer. Everybody at some stage will be touched by the disease, so everybody needs to be involved. And my friends all willingly donate.”

What do you do when not at Cancer Council NSW?

“I do some part time work, but most of my time is spent looking after my 91 year old mum, my disabled sister and grandchildren. I am known as the family ‘meals on wheels’.

Visit www.cancercouncil.com.au/reduce-risks/sun-protection for more about Cancer Council’s ‘Sun Protection’ campaign, so central to Alison’s volunteering, and vital for the children of NSW.

Twentieth Anniversary Thursday 23 May 2013Take a break and help fight cancer in Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea’s twentieth year. Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea is a fun and easy way to raise money for cancer research, prevention programs, advocacy and support services. Host your morning tea at work, at home or with your local community group and have a cuppa for cancer. Every cup counts!

Register at www.biggestmorningtea.com.au

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Social support for cancer patients

One in two men and one in three women in Australia are now being diagnosed with cancer before the age of 85. Sadly, this means there is a real chance that most of us in our lifetime will spend time in a hospital either undergoing treatment or caring for a loved one. Hospitals can be lonely places, especially if you’re from the country or on your own.

...there is a real chance that most of us in our lifetime will spend time in a hospital either undergoing treatment or caring for a loved one. Hospitals can be lonely places, especially if you’re from the country or on your own

That’s where Cancer Council volunteers come in. Staffing the new Cancer Information Centre at

Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, for example. A ‘listening ear’, a comforting presence, they provide informal social support. One such Cancer Council volunteer is Celia Harriot.

“I like talking to people, and I find that perhaps they can relax a little bit just chatting, especially if they are on their own,” says Celia.

Celia and other volunteers will offer patients a tea or coffee and simply spend time with them. Often, waiting for treatment, chatting about ‘anything and everything’ can help while away the time. But there are also times when patients want to talk about how intense the experience of being diagnosed with cancer actually is. Our trained volunteers are there for that, too.

Many of the volunteers have been touched by cancer themselves, which adds drive to what they are doing. As Celia says, “If we can give a little TLC, then we have assisted in the mission to ‘defeat cancer’.”

The volunteers become familiar faces quickly, and are support to navigate through a time of uncertainty. Patients and carers travel long distances to receive life-saving treatment, as they may not have access to it back home in rural NSW. Although they will have discussed their diagnosis and treatment with the doctor, often this doesn’t sink in because the shock of diagnosis is overwhelming. Our team at Prince of Wales can offer extra information in the form of cancer booklets, DVDs and website articles, or call the Cancer Council Helpline to speak with Oncology professionals to answer a particular question or concern.

This is the fourteenth centre of its type in NSW, and it was developed in partnership with Prince of Wales Hospital. Robyn Ward, Director of Cancer Services for Prince of Wales and South-East Sydney Local Health District, was a local champion of the project and advocated for its development. Nurses and social workers drop in frequently to access the most up-to-date resources for their patients.

Our sister centre at St George Hospital currently sees over 1,000 visitors a year. That’s 1,000 more people getting more support at the point of diagnosis. We have high hopes that the Prince of Wales centre will reach this point over the next couple of years. With a move into the brand new Cancer Care Centre being built there, we have no doubt we’re in this for the long haul.

Left to right: Professor Robyn Ward, Director, Cancer Services, Prince of Wales Hospital; Teresa Back, Prince of Wales Hospital patient; Tony Bowen, Mayor of Randwick; Celia Harriott, Volunteer, Cancer Council Information Centre at Prince of Wales Hospital; and Bruce Notley-Smith mp, Member for Coogee; at the Centre’s launch on 19 November 2012.

...patients want to talk

about how intense the experience of being diagnosed with cancer actually is. Our trained volunteers are there

for that, too

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Cancer issues across the language divide

Understanding Cancer of Unknown PrimaryInformation and support videos

Being diagnosed or having a loved one diagnosed with Cancer of Unknown Primary (sometimes referred to as CUP) can be quite overwhelming. You have likely been told that you or your loved one has cancer, that it has spread from a site other than where it has been found, and that the primary cancer site cannot be located despite appropriate medical investigation.

Cancer Council NSW has developed a set of video modules to provide accurate information about how CUP is diagnosed and treated, as well as to provide emotional support for people affected by CUP. Remember, only some of these video modules might be relevant to you or your loved one right at this moment, so we suggest you watch the modules you think are most relevant to your situation now, and return to the site when you are ready to view the other modules.

Understanding CUP videos: www.cancercouncil.com.au/65123

Introduction to CUP: www.cancercouncil.com.au/35155

Download Cancer Council’s CUP information booklet: www.cancercouncil.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/CAN3460_Cancer-of-Unknown-Primary_adjusted-cover-logo-web_March-2012.pdf

Everyone knows that Australia is a nation of immigrants. New South Wales hosts the largest proportion of people from ‘Culturally and Linguistically Diverse’ (CALD) backgrounds at approximately 35% of Australia’s total CALD population. Cancer Council NSW is committed to making its services, projects, activities and events, suitable and available to all people who need them, and this very much includes those who come from non-English speaking backgrounds.

We all know that cancer does not discriminate. It affects people from all backgrounds, and sometimes more so for some ethnic groups, either due to predispositions, or because of the lack of access to vital information about screening and prevention programs in languages other than English. Or because current services and approaches are not suitable, and therefore are not reaching some ethnic groups.

According to the NSW Health Ministry’s 2011-14 Cancer Plan, the number of people in NSW diagnosed with cancer is steadily rising. While more specific data is not available, some cancers are more prevalent and on the increase for CALD communities, with 28 per cent of

all deaths and 32 per cent of deaths from cancer being of people from CALD backgrounds.

Cancer has an impact upon the lives of many people, whether in coping with a diagnosis of cancer, caring for a loved one, or searching for a cure. For people from CALD backgrounds whose English language skills are limited, who don’t have any relatives in Australia, who don’t understand the Australian health system or how to navigate it, being diagnosed with cancer can have a greater and at times even devastating impact on them and their families.

Volunteers reading this article are encouraged to offer/identify your bilingual skills at volunteervoice@nswcc.org.au and let us know if you are willing to assist Cancer Council reach out to people from CALD backgrounds, either by providing language support, or encouraging others to become volunteers at Cancer Council to help us become more culturally friendly and diverse.

Read the full story here: www.cancercouncil.com.au/65792

Kamal (left) and Mona at Cancer Council’s stand at the Annual Egyptian Festival on 11 November 2012.

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Understanding cancer, changing livesCancer Council’s Annual Report 2011/12

Anyone who has been touched by cancer knows first hand the challenges of the disease. At Cancer Council NSW, we continually face those challenges as we work towards our mission. Every day we ask of ourselves and the community: “What will you do today to help beat cancer?”

As an organisation, Cancer Council aims to improve year-on-year so that we can make a true difference to the lives of those affected by cancer. The 2011/12 Annual Report captures our effort and is a snapshot of our most significant achievements and activities over the past financial year. It’s a transparent look at how we performed as an organisation, areas where we had the most impact as well as those where we feel we can improve.

The report’s theme Understanding cancer, changing lives, highlights two areas where Cancer Council excels. As a comprehensive cancer charity, we have a thorough understanding about all cancers as well as the context in which cancer occurs. It is this knowledge that helps us shape our services and programs to best meet the needs of the cancer community.

Understanding cancer, changing lives illustrates the work carried out by Cancer Council NSW which truly has the power to change lives. This year’s report features the inspirational stories of Keely Bennett, James Freeman and Kamal Hadid, who feature in our campaign “What will you do today to help beat cancer?”. Keely’s story is one that is shared by many other

Keely Bennett with daughters Ellen and Chloe on the Annual Report cover.

“Knowing what I know now, I’m keen to increase awareness about breast cancer in women of my age with similar circumstances, and want to warn others against ‘explaining away’ symptoms and ‘soldiering on’ in our busy lives. Cancer can impact just about anyone and strike any time.

“It is up to us, as individuals and as a community, to understand it, cope effectively and tenaciously fight back.” Keely Bennett

Prepare for how you can be a vital part of what you’ll be reading in next year’s Annual Report. Download the information sheet about Cancer Council NSW major events in 2013 (including dates for Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea, Mate V Mate V Cancer, City Mile Dash, Daffodil Day, and Pink Ribbon Day) at www.cancercouncil.com.au/67547

cancer patients and carers who benefit directly from our support services, while the testimonials of Kamal and James showcase how we empower thousands of volunteers, supporters and fundraisers to make a difference in their communities.

As with any good partnership, success is dependent on mutuality. Many of you, our volunteers, feel empowered and motivated giving of your time and skills, contributing to a cause you believe in. In the eyes of the Cancer Council, you’re a vital part of the organisation and essential to realising our shared mission. This Annual Report is your story too.

So, make sure you take a look, and share our stories about the people, the activities and the commitment that makes Cancer Council the organisation it is.

You can view the Annual Report online at www.cancercouncil.com.au/65897

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Central and Southern Sydney Local News

The Sutherland District Trade Union Club (or ‘Tradies’ to locals) is in Gymea. Fifty years an icon in the south of Sydney, Tradies is a cherished six-year partner of the Sutherland Shire Relay For Life.

Their association with Relay For Life began in 2004, when a small team of 14 Tradies employees led by Lisa Wilkinson, the General Manager, headed down to Sylvania Waters Athletics Track for what they had heard was a great community event. Over the last six years, Tradies has taken on a major sponsorship role. During 2012,the club generously allowed Cancer Council the use of all their facilities free of charge for several events leading up to the 2013 Sutherland Relay For Life.

Amanda Grant, Community Relations Manager at Tradies Gymea, says: “Relay For Life is a highly respected and valued community event in the Sutherland Shire. We are so proud to be in partnership with such an incredible organisation that works tirelessly to improve the lives of those in our community. We believe Cancer Council’s Relay For Life reflects our organisational values of wanting to make a difference, to serve and connect our community, to be hands-on in making a difference to those in our community.”

For more about Cancer Council and Relay For Life right across NSW, visit www.relayforlife.org.au or contact your local Relay For Life Coordinator through (02) 9334 1964.

Many Australians tackle the rugged terrain of Papua New Guinea’s Kokoda Trail to honour the sacrifice our soldiers made there in World War II. Sydney locals Karen McWilliam and Nick Miller recently trekked its 115 kilometres over mountains, along jungle paths and goat tracks.

Both Karen and Nick have had family and friends touched by cancer, but one close friend in particular motivated them to participate in Cancer Council’s Brain Cancer Action Campaign, which raises urgent funds for life-saving research and support services. Karen’s close friend, Lucie Leonard, diagnosed with brain cancer six years ago, has embodied strength, determination and inspiration battling the disease.

Karen says: “Our nine day trek tested our endurance and strength both

physically and mentally, but we knew our personal challenge was nothing compared to what our friend has been through and continues to endure. Lucie has been a great inspiration to us all, shown us how to just get the job at hand done.”

Enormous support from friends and family for Karen and Nick’s trek enabled them to raise over $4,100 towards Brain Cancer Action. One of the most under-funded cancers, brain cancer is the biggest cancer killer of children under 10 and young adults under 39. Karen also joined the 1200 Club, which honours the 1200 people who die from brain cancer each year in Australia.

You can donate to Brain Cancer Action, and also become a member of the 1200 Club by visiting www.braincanceraction.com.au

Tradies partners us in Relay For Life

Trekking Kokoda Trail for Brain Cancer

The Tradies team supporting Relay For Life, an annual partnership.

Nick Miller and Karen McWilliam with a veteran mail carrier of World War II.

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Northern Sydney Local News

Hornsby Relay’s tenth anniversary

Patricia Totman and Barry O’Farrell, Premier of NSW, officially open Relay For Life.

On the weekend of 22 and 23 October 2012, the Hornsby Ku-ring-gai area celebrated their tenth Annual Relay For Life event.

The gorgeous weather set up a great weekend for what turned out to be Hornsby Ku-ring-gai’s biggest Relay yet.

Many of the original participants from the first Relay took part, including Patricia Totman, who is not only a Survivor and a 12 year veteran of attending Relay For Life events (her first being Campbelltown in 2000), but has celebrated twenty years volunteering with Cancer Council NSW – her first patient visit was in November 1992.

Each year Patricia brings along her friends from the Ladies Probus, and for many years also encouraged the involvement of the Scouts, through her sons.

Throughout the years she has seen the Relay develop from strength to strength through the “enthusiasm of

the committees”. Two of Patricia’s favourite parts of the event are Miss Relay, “most outstanding, glamorous, exciting”, and the remembrance photo board, honouring the memory of those that have passed. She loves the community spirit and hope invoked,

and above all the fun of it, especially with the involvement of youth.

Her future mission is to spread awareness of what Relay For Life is all about, and to grow the event within the area.

be involved with Cancer Council, to know you are contributing in making a difference to so many who have experienced cancer in some form or other. To be part of Cancer Council’s improving so many people’s lives. It seems every day you hear some more good news about the progress being made in the fight against cancer”.

Susan says of her volunteering for us, “If you’ve got the time to help as a volunteer, then come to Cancer Council NSW, as there are so many opportunities to work in many different areas”.

Susan Robertson is the Volunteer Administration Assistant at Crows Nest. She participates in administrative work in the office, and also assists at events such as Relay For Life.

“...every day you hear some more good news about the progress being made in the fight against cancer”

Susan had heard about all the good work Cancer Council NSW does, and when she saw a position advertised in Crows Nest, which is close to her

home, she jumped at the opportunity. She brings secretarial experience with a variety of companies to us, including that of her last permanent position as a Legal Secretary at the Public Trustee in their Head Office in Sydney.

Now retired, Susan says “it is good to be able to give up some of my time and do some voluntary work, to know I am contributing something worthwhile for a good cause”. She feels pride in “just being able to assist in the office, especially when big events are coming up and the workload increases, as there is so much to prepare and it can get quite hectic”.

Susan enjoys seeing the funds raised through local events increase each year, and says “it is very rewarding to

Volunteer Profile

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Western Sydney Local News

Do you feel personally rewarded by your involvement with Cancer Council NSW? How?

I am lucky that I am in a position to give some of my time to volunteering. It’s extremely important to find balance in the time that you give to volunteering and the time you spend with family and friends. I’m still working on it!

Read the extended version of Denise’s Volunteer Profile at www.cancercouncil.com.au/66308

been inspired by some awesome leaders on our Committee, who give themselves totally to the cause. They expect nothing in return, which is so refreshing in such a self-absorbed society.

What do you enjoy most about volunteering?

I take great satisfaction in working together with some great people, all working towards a positive goal. There is such a fantastic community spirit at Relay, the feeling of accomplishment of a job well done is magic.

What work have you done at Cancer Council NSW that you are most proud of or excited about?

We came up with a mini ‘race around the world’, a fun activity which could involve kids whilst getting the Fight Back message across at the same time.

Volunteer Profile

Denise DaynesVolunteer Role: Relay Co-Chair

What does your volunteer work involve?

I am currently co-chair for the Hills Relay, which is going into its twelfth year, and raised close to $300,000 last year. I’ve spent two years organising sponsors and raffles, and this year have been thrown in at the deep end!

Why did you choose to volunteer at Cancer Council NSW?

My passion is finding a cure for cancer and helping to create a truly special community event. I have

Carol Stewart, of Dundas, and Maria Medynski, of Carlingford, volunteering at Cancer Council Information Centre at Westmead Hospital for the past two years, have supported hundreds of patients and carers in that time.

The centre opened in July 2010, and since then the pair have joined

about a dozen other volunteers in listening to patients, discussing their cancer diagnosis, or offering advice to families and carers supporting a loved one through cancer treatment.

“Some people with cancer come in here because they can’t talk to their family, or some people come in just for a chat and a coffee,” Carol said.

“We talk to people with different cancers and see a variety of ages.”

Maria said many fellow volunteers had been impacted by cancer in some way, and can understand the emotional and physical condition of people seeking the centre’s help.

“We offer emotional support as much as anything.”

Gill Batt, director of Cancer Information Support Services at Cancer Council

NSW, says visitor numbers to the Westmead Hospital centre are on the rise, and public feedback has been extremely positive.

“No one should face a cancer diagnosis alone, and this centre provides immediate and face-to-face support to patients, families and carers when it’s needed most,” Gill says.

This role of support and sympathy is personified in Carol and Maria, as it is in all the volunteers statewide who bring so much to Cancer Council and our shared mission of defeating cancer.

“No one should face a cancer diagnosis alone, and this centre provides immediate and face-to-face support...”

“Twins” at heart

Carol (left) and Maria.

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Hunter and Central Coast Local News

Bright colours for Sun Protection

Christmas sparkle for cancer patients

The Sun Protection in Primary Schools advocacy campaign Chalk Your Support was well supported at Newcastle/Lake Macquarie’s Relay For Life on 3 November 2012. Jane Keevers has been volunteering and participating in Relay For Life (RFL) for six years, and kindly donated her very creative artistic skills to the campaign by

In December 2012 Cancer Council’s Community Office at Erina decorated the Christmas tree with sparkling Daffodils to represent Hope. They then called upon Central Coast residents to share their goodwill to put together Christmas Goodie Bags of Hope for cancer patients, their care networks and families. The response from the community was overwhelming and volunteers were able to put together over 40 bags.

The Christmas Goodie Bags were distributed through the Cancer Care Centres at Gosford and Wyong Hospitals during the weeks leading up to Christmas. Through the

painting a promotional canvas to attract attention at the event.

The canvas helped to highlight the issue and the solution, and cleverly illustrated how RFL participants can support the campaign by having their photo taken holding up a chalk board with their message to the Government written on it.

Thanks to Jane’s wonderful assistance we took 160 photos at the event within three hours. Jane is very happy for her canvas to travel around NSW to other RFL events if anyone would like to use it to raise awareness about the advocacy campaign. Many thanks to Jane for her fantastic artwork and commitment to supporting this important public health and safety issue.

A vital resourceRecognising the need for a Cancer Services Directory to support locals living with a cancer diagnosis and their carers, the Upper Hunter Community Cancer Network sought out partners to make the Directory a reality. Financial support and a committed group to collect and collate information were two vital parts to achieve that reality.

Bengalla Mining company most generously provided the funds to design and print the directory, to be disseminated across key community locations, and available from the new Upper Hunter Cancer Council Community office in Singleton.

A partnership was also formed with Community Service students at Hamilton TAFE, who worked tirelessly to compile and check the information to ensure that the community had best-possible access to the services that would support them through their cancer experience; including diagnosis, treatment, support, and information to reduce the risk of cancer.

Partnerships create capacity in communities, particularly in rural areas where resources are often limited. Thank you to all who contributed to this fabulous resource, which will bring untold benefit to cancer patients, carers and their families.

Jane and her ‘get out your chalk’ artwork.

Volunteers Irene Eves and Carole White with the Christmas Goodie Bags.

generosity of the local community together with Cancer Council volunteers we were able to brighten the day for many cancer patients and their families.

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Northern NSW Local News

With an unexpected cancer scare to a young family member, Goonellabah resident Marshall Fittler discovered a few years back that there was not enough funding for specialists in Lismore to properly treat patients. The family had to travel to Brisbane for the required procedure, and thankfully the cancer cleared up.

Some time later, Marshall came across an article in the local paper, The Northern Star, explaining that medical specialists were threatening to leave the area due to underfunding.

Putting down the problem-based, complaint-ridden article, Marshall was seized by a simple solution, “Why not just change the situation, and help to make it better?”

Through local media he called a public meeting in Lismore. The turnout of 500 people rallied community involvement and participation to improve things.

Motivated by subsequently losing a close friend to lung cancer, Marshall set his focus on raising funds for cancer research, patient and family support, and community awareness.

The turnout of 500 people rallied community involvement and participation to improve things.

This action group, called Crackin’ Cancer, has been making an enormous difference regionally since 2010, and is now formally linked and approved by Cancer Council.

“There are great prospects”, Marshall enthuses. “We are looking to open a branch in Wollongong in six months, then hopefully Newcastle and Sydney further down the track!”

Crackin’ Cancer hosts numerous events to raise funds to beat cancer, such as camel races, horse trail rides and so many more!

Facebook and Crackin’ Cancer: www.facebook.com/crackincancer

And for a very personal view: http://leighwarren.com/blog/?tag= crackin-cancer

Art Beavis volunteers for Cancer Council as a Regional Advocate and Community Speaker Co-ordinator. The owner of Silver Temp, an employment agency for seniors, Art is also on the Boards of the Northern Rivers Conservatorium Arts Centre, and the Lismore Chamber of Commerce.

Art Beavis

Passionate about defeating cancer, Art is also driven by his aspiration to give something back to the community. With the benefit of his business experience, he is well-equipped to communicate and so help promote direct knowledge and ongoing awareness of cancer issues locally. And to enunciate Cancer Council’s goals, including both current and future campaigns and activities, right across the broader Northern Region.

Ask him what he enjoys most about volunteering, Art will tell you, “I get to meet a lot of very interesting people, and learn about some of the journeys people take on the road to conquering cancer. I have really

enjoyed giving talks to community groups, and get a great deal of satisfaction from it. Achieving a favourable result through advocacy is always rewarding too.”

A loving husband with four adult children, Art admits to having a love affair… with golf. In fact, when asked about his passions outside of volunteering with Cancer Council, number one is the nationwide, critical, and cancer-preventing fight against obesity, and number two… improving his golf handicap.

Art contributes an extraordinary amount of himself to Cancer Council, and we are very fortunate to have him with us in the fight against cancer.

Volunteer Profile

Crackin’ Cancer making a difference

Left to right: Laurie Cooper, Marshall Fittler, and Sue Page, Crackin’ Cancer Committee Fundraising Group.

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The hard-working Relay For Life committee of Armidale took time out of their busy schedules to support the 2012 Armidale Relay For Life’s recent

Chalk Your Support campaign. The campaign’s objective is to bring to the attention of the NSW State Government that its sun protection polices of 1997 are not adequate enough for children.

Another 110 participants of the 2012 Armidale Relay For Life also joined the fight against cancer by chalking their support.

If you want to help fight back against cancer like the committed Armidale community, simply join our CanAct Community, a network of community advocates across NSW with the passion and the power to change what politicians do about cancer.

Visit www.canceraction.com.au/join-our-community today!

Margaret Rock is a dedicated long-term Cancer Council NSW volunteer. Since 2000, Margaret has been a regular office volunteer, a Team Leader for Daffodil Day and Pink Ribbon Day, and organizes a large Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea catering for local Tamworth businesses and volunteers at the local Cancer Council Information Centre.

Margaret is a cancer survivor who has unfortunately lost many loved ones to cancer.

Margaret volunteers with the local Lioness Club, and runs the North West Regional Wig Library from Cancer Council premises. She is the Regional Coordinator and Facilitator for the Look Good Feel Better program.

Due to her committed work for cancer patients in this program, Margaret was awarded the NSW/ACT Volunteer of the Year award in 2011. In September

2012, Margaret was awarded the National Volunteer of the Year award for Look Good Feel Better and her commitment to cancer patients.

Volunteer of the Year Volunteer Profile

Narelle Langfield is a breast cancer survivor and a committed Cancer Council volunteer with a dedication to supporting others. Narelle has been a Survivor Coordinator on the Tamworth Relay For Life organising committee, and is a trained Cancer Council Consumer Advocate. She is a strong voice for those affected by cancer on all advocacy issues.

Narelle facilitates the Living Well After Cancer program, which requires travelling across NSW to support cancer survivors and their carers. She is also a Cancer Council Community Speaker, a role that helps ensure communities are aware of support services, prevention and screening programs available to help reduce the incidences of cancer.

Narelle has recently been acknowledged by the Department of Primary Industries in the Hidden Treasures Honour Roll 2012, an initiative celebrating women for giving so much to their rural communities through their volunteering. See more at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/rwn/activities/hidden-treasures

A well-deserved award for Margaret.

Relay committee gets chalking

The message couldn’t be clearer.

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Timeline

Western NSW Local News

Local resident and 2011 MasterChef winner, Kate Bracks, recently volunteered her time to show Dubbo parents how easy it is to prepare simple, tasty, and healthy food for school lunchboxes.

“As an ex-teacher and mother of three, I can really see the value in helping families develop good eating habits for their kids now, which can set up healthy food habits for life,” Kate said.

“It is something I feel passionate about and why I support Cancer Council’s Eat It To Beat It Program,

which promotes positive messages

about healthy eating and provides families with practical, tasty and budget-friendly recipes,” she said.

Jocie Johnston, from Cancer Council Western region, said the lunchbox session was well attended, fun, and

helped parents to understand the importance of eating the recommended daily two serves of fruit and five serves of vegetables.

“Kate’s recipes clearly demonstrated to parents that a healthy lunch box was achievable with minimal fuss and minimal time.”

Renowned for her warm and energetic personality, Kate’s large group of followers is hardly surprising. Feedback from parents was extremely positive and indicative that programs such as Eat It to Beat It are highly valued in the community.

Resident in Orange, Kate continues to write recipes, support community programs, engage in public speaking engagements and cooking demonstrations, and teach kids to cook. She published her first cookbook ‘The Sweet Life’ in 2012.She works with some well-respected local chefs, and her delicious recipes can be found at www.katebracks.com

Kate’s healthy lunchbox winners

Kate stands by the Eat It to Beat It message.

Timeline keeps you on track with Cancer Council developments every single day you visit.

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http://beatcancer.cancercouncil.com.au

Council can help even one person avoid going through the experience that I did, then that is reward enough.

“I tell anyone who asks that Cancer Council is a great place to volunteer for the amazing work it achieves, personally for the support it provided to me and my family, and continues to do so for many other cancer patients.”

Belinda Griffiths is a Community Speaker Coordinator at Cancer Council’s regional office in Orange. Belinda has a solid training background which makes her a very valuable contributor to the Community Speakers program. She is inspired by volunteering, and has worked alongside many amazing volunteers in her past roles.

Belinda helps to recruit and train new community speakers, responds to enquiries from other organisations, manages requests, coordinates volunteers, and promotes the program in the region to generate new speaking opportunities.

Answering why she chose to volunteer at Cancer Council, Belinda tells us, “I have been through cancer myself and have come out the other side. I am currently in a position in my life to be able to give back to this organisation that does a remarkable job providing people with support and information about this horrible disease.

“It is very rewarding and satisfying to be able to assist in some way to raise awareness and provide support to the community. If the services and support offered by Cancer

Volunteer Profile Belinda Griffiths

“I tell anyone who asks that Cancer Council is a great place to volunteer for the amazing work it achieves, personally for the support it provided to me and my family, and continues to do so for many other cancer patients”

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Southern NSW Local News

Wollongong’s Cancer Council Visitors Centre is for the patients, carers, friends, visitors, anyone who needs information on various cancers and treatments.

One Monday late in July last year, two volunteers, Helen Davis and Maria Beretov, were ‘on duty’ when a young patient named Angela came to the Centre.

“We started talking and asking where she came, and so on, and if she needed any information,” recall Helen and Maria.

“Angela mentioned that she had been dared to wear pink ribbons on her hair. Since it was just starting to grow back, she would have to use Bluetak to stick the ribbons on.

“Helen and I said that if she would wear her pink ribbons the following Monday, July 30, then we would

Helen“I volunteer by working in the library in Wollongong Hospital for Cancer Council. I hand out information to patients on the type of cancer they have, and all other relevant information available to them.

“I chose to volunteer with Cancer Council when being at hospital with my partner, who has cancer, got me thinking I could give something back to the community.

“I am a nurse, and worked at Wollongong Hospital for five years. Before that, at various hospitals in Sydney. Volunteering, I most enjoy meeting the patients that come through for their treatments. If I can bring a smile to just one person I feel I have done something worthwhile.”

Maria“My role as a volunteer is to be present at Cancer Council’s Visitor Centre at Wollongong Hospital, where I provide assistance to patients and carers with publications and literature, provide support, and refer them to other resources.

“I volunteered previously at local sporting clubs. My best fundraiser for the cricket club was getting all the cricketers to wear pink shirts when we raised money for the fight against breast cancer.

“Now, with Cancer Council, I enjoy the interaction with patients and carers, and the other volunteers we work with. Helen and I have mini-fundraisers at the Centre, and together we’ve raised $180 towards research.”

spray our hair pink to support her.

“Originally, it was just going to be for Angela, and a bit of fun. But then as carers and patients arrived, and Illawarra Cancer Carers who were on duty that day asked why we’d sprayed our hair pink, the story came out.

“We told them ‘why’ and they said they would also like to have their hair sprayed pink.

“It was like a chain reaction. Patients went and got their friends who were waiting, and Angela got her friend. Soon we had around ten people with pink hair. Even one of the staff came up and asked for us to spray her hair pink.

“We had a fantastic morning with lots of laughter and fun.

“We are there to support these people and if spraying the hair pink took their minds off their immediate worries, we were happy.”

Volunteers pink hair to beat cancer

Helen and Maria talk about volunteering

Left to right: Maria, Angela and Helen.

Maria, Helen, and pink-haired supporters.

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Armed with Chocolate Frogs

This book records a remarkable series of events and facts of women living with advanced breast cancer. Faced with one’s own mortality must be difficult especially for the young women with families that depend on having a mother to guide them through life.

I found their stories to be described with such a beautiful, dignified, and sensitive manner

that I’m sure would encourage anyone who has found themselves or their family affected by the realities of cancer, to become ever more valiant in the awareness of any changes happening in their body.

The emotional overload that was related in this book was extraordinary; their experiences brought some tears, and some smiles. The anguish, sadness and despair, but also highlighting such hope and courage, relaying a mateship that speaks to us of challenges unknown to so many of us.

The structure and contents of Armed With Chocolate Frogs are indeed powerful statements, which I believe will inspire and educate.

Originally reviewed by Isobel Harvie: www.bcna.org.au/news/information-resources/reviews-books-and-other-resources/personal-stories-books-dvds/armed-choco

More about Isobel here: www.intrinsiconline.com/Archive/NewsDetail.aspx?p=20&id=152

Book review Recipe Corner

Fish Cakes15 minutes preparation and 8 minutes cooking

Ingredients500g firm white fish (such as ling) coarsely chopped

1/2 cup fresh coriander

1 teaspoon of cornflour

2 tablespoons fish sauce

2 tablespoons sweet chilli sauce

1 egg, lightly whisked

3 green shallot, ends trimmed, finely chopped

75g green beans, finely chopped

1 tablespoon olive oil

Large green salad to serve (allow 2 cups per person)

MethodPlace the fish into a food processor and blend until smooth. Add the coriander, cornflour, fish sauce, sweet chilli sauce and egg, and process until well combined.

Transfer the fish mixture to a large bowl and mix through the shallot and beans until well combined.

Divide the fish mixture into equal portions. Roll each portion into a ball. Heat half of the oil in a non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat.

Put four fish balls into the pan and flatten with an egg flip.

Cook for four minutes on each side or until golden brown. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towel and repeat for remaining 4 portions.

Serve with a green salad and crusty bread if desired.

Variation: try tinned tuna or salmon in place of white fish.

Contributions welcomeWe invite you to send in your reviews of books, movies, stories told in any form, that tell of the battle against cancer. You may already have an inspirational story we do not know about. Or you may wish to read some.

For books (hopefully) in a library near you, visit http://trove.nla.gov.au and type these four words, “Australian cancer patients biography” in the SEARCH box to get started on finding titles.

VolunteerVoice | Autumn2013

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Metro Regions:Central & Southern Sydney: 153 Dowling St, Woolloomooloo NSW 2011, (PO Box 572, Kings Cross NSW 1340) ......... (02) 9334 1754Northern Sydney: Crows Nest Regional Office, Level I, 117 Willoughby Rd, Crows Nest NSW 2065 ............................................ (02) 9334 1600Western Sydney: Parramatta Regional Office, Rotary House, 43 Hunter St, Parramatta NSW 2150 , (PO Box 3426) ........ (02) 9354 2000Casula Community Office: 39 Ingham Drive, Casula NSW 2170, (PO Box 287) ......................................................................................... (02) 9354 2050Penrith Community Office: 114-116 Henry St, Penrith NSW 2750, (PO Box 4379) ................................................................................ (02) 9354 2060Rouse Hill Community Office: Library & Community Building, Level 2, 29 Main St, Rouse Hill, 2155 (PO Box 6112) ...... (02) 9354 2070

Regional and Rural offices:Hunter & Central Coast: Charlestown Regional Office, Unit C1.2, Level 1, Landmark Building, 215 Pacific Hwy, Charlestown NSW 2290 .................................................................................................................................................................................... (02) 4923 0700Upper Hunter Community Office: 69 John St, Singleton 2330, (PO Box 570) ............................................................................................. (02) 6571 2899Erina Fair Community Office: The Hive, Erina Fair, Erina NSW 2250, (PO Box 5102) ............................................................................. (02) 4336 4500Northern NSW: Alstonville Regional Office, 101-103 Main St, Alstonville NSW 2477, (PO Box 531) ................................................ (02) 6627 0300Coffs Harbour Office: 121 High St, Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 .................................................................................................................................. (02) 6659 8400Tamworth Office: Shop 1, 218 Peel St, Tamworth NSW 2340, (PO Box 1616) .............................................................................................. (02) 6763 0900Southern NSW: Wollongong Regional Office, Suite 7 Ground Floor, iC Enterprise 1, Innovation Campus, Squires Way, North Wollongong NSW 2500, (PO Box 21, Fairy Meadow NSW 2519) .................................. (02) 4223 0200Bega Community Office: Shop 8, Auckland Plaza, 81-83 Auckland St, Bega NSW 2550 (PO Box 772) ................................... (02) 6492 1805Queanbeyan Community Office: Southern NSW Medicare Local, 15 Crawford St, Queanbeyan NSW 2620 (PO Box 1506) .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 0413 886 584Western NSW: Orange Regional Office, 75 Kite St, Orange NSW 2800, (PO Box 1977) .......................................................................... (02) 6392 0800Wagga Wagga Office: 1/37 Tompson St, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650, (PO Box 1164) .............................................................................. (02) 6937 2600Young Community Office: Suite 8, Millard Centre, Boorowa St, Young NSW 2594 ................................................................................... (02) 6382 3426

Your local Cancer Council contact details

Australia’s Biggest Morning TeaThursday 23 May 2013

Relays For Life March to May, 2013Moree Moree Showground, Warialda Street, Moree, 22 MarchBankstown Bankstown Paceway, 23 March Dungog Dungog High School, 23 MarchGriffith Exies Sports Complex, Speirs St, Griffith NSW, 23 MarchLiverpool Hillier Oval, Liverpool, 23 MarchNorth Shore Gore Hill Oval, St Leonards, 23 MarchTweed Valley Cudgen Leagues Club, Kingscliff, 23 MarchBega Valley Pambula Sports Complex, 6 April Liverpool Plains Quirindi Showground, Polocrosse Fields, 6 AprilShoalhaven, Nowra Nowra Showground, 6 AprilShoalhaven, Ulladulla Milton Showground, Milton, 6 April

Mungindi Mungindi Oval, Mungindi, 12 April

Muswellbrook Weeraman Fields, Common Rd, Muswellbrook, 20 April

Casino Queen Elizabeth Park, No 2. Casino, 4 May

Coffs Harbour Coffs Coast Sport & Leisure Park 2, 4 May

Hills Wrights Rd Reserve, Kellyville, 4 May

Kiama Kiama Leisure Centre, 4 May

Penrith Howel Oval, Station St Penrith, 4 May

Sutherland Shire Sylvania Athletic Track, Belgrave Esplanade, Sylvania, 4 May

Cowra and District Sid Kallas Oval, 11 May

Eastern Suburbs McKay Sportsground, Centennial Park, 18 May

Gosford City Central Coast Grammar School, Arundel Road, Erina Heights, 18 May

Hawkesbury Hawkesbury Showground, Clarendon, 25 May

Read more about Cancer Council’s 2013 events at www.cancercouncil.com.au/67547

From time to time, Cancer Council conducts research studies on people drawn from the NSW population. These studies range from questionnaire-based surveys, focus groups and interviews to other types of research. Your help is vital to our research to defeat cancer. By helping us now, you can help us defeat cancer in the future. Register at www.cancer council.com.au/research/join-a-research-study or call the special Join a Research Study number, (02) 9334 1398.Please note: study participants will not necessarily be cancer patients.

Help us beat cancer

Join a research study NOW!

Events Calendar