Volunteer Voice Spring 2013 by Cancer Council

VolunteerVoice Diversity enhances delivery by Cancer Council NSW

Spring Edition September 2013

13 11 20 Photo courtesy of Three Blocks Left Design

Eat It To Beat It started as a pilot program in the Hunter five years ago. In 2013, the program was rolled out to a number of other areas in NSW. Eat It To Beat It trains volunteers to spread the message to parents about ensuring that their children are eating enough fruit and vegetables, and how to easily fit this into everyday life. Helpline Consultants provide information and support to callers ringing Cancer Council NSW’s 13 11 20 cancer information number. Helpline Consultants are qualified Health Professionals whose expertise in Oncology is supplemented with counselling experience. The Consultants take calls every day about different aspects of cancer. Calls can be wide-ranging and often may seem quirky or out of the ordinary. But all calls have the same need – for the caller to be heard, understood, and to conclude their conversation with a sense of hope, support, comfort and information. We respond to questions about cancer, queries about Cancer Council, and its programs. As well as very specific concerns about the disease that have all sorts of requests by people dialing 13 11 20. • We have taken many calls about Bowel Screening Kits, asking “Where can I access one, and do I qualify to have a free test?”

• “Wood smoke, does it cause cancer of the trachea?” • “Where can I get a wig for my cousin/sister/mother/aunt/niece/ daughter?” • Sun spots and skin clinics. “Where can I get them checked?” We advise to seek the opinion of ‘your local GP’. We do not recommend skin clinics. • Even ‘where to donate online?’, ‘how to hold an Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea event?’, and the odd general donation call.

One in four school aged children in Australia are classified as overweight or obese, and with many parents also overweight or obese, it has never been more important to promote how important fruit and veg are! Eating enough fruit and vegetables can reduce weight and the risk of some cancers. Read about Eat It to Beat It volunteer, Meiha Cheung, on page 14.

Helpline is so effective in very large part because of the work all our volunteers do in getting cancer information out into the community, so people confronting cancer know there is someone they can call. Each and every call is important to us, as all the calls are ultimately about the caller and their need to be listened to. It is the belief of the caller that Cancer Council can help them in some way. We do our best to ensure that this is the case for them. Continued on page 12

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

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

VolunteerVoice | Spring2013

Desk Notes

VolunteerVoice | Spring2013

from Volunteer Development Advisor, Meghan Hermann

Planning for the future The Volunteer Task Force has been hard at work mapping out the future of volunteering at Cancer Council NSW. We have been researching what is done by other not-forprofit and volunteer organisations around the world, in order to see what is new and exciting. Also, to help us benchmark about what we are doing well and what we could improve on. Throughout this process, we learned that Cancer Council NSW is doing a great job overall in the world of volunteers, including best practice for recruitment, management and retention. We can always learn from what others are doing.

Here are some of the highlights that we are working on for over the next three years: • Roll out a new on-boarding process for volunteers based at Woolloomooloo. • Initiate a program that will result in a qualification/certificate for special volunteer roles. • E-learning opportunities for volunteers. We are very excited about these challenges and goals that we have laid out for ourselves, and we look forward to improving and learning as time goes by. If you have any ideas or initiatives that you would like to share, that would benefit the whole organisation, please let me know: meghanh@nswcc.org.au

...we learned that Cancer Council NSW is doing a great job overall in the world of volunteers, including best practice for recruitment, management and retention

CISS Conference links leaders

What Millie and Hannah said… What prompted you to get involved with Cancer Council NSW? Millie: My dad had cancer and didn’t talk about it because of cultural reasons. Hannah: I see cancer as a big health issue with my community. What are you currently campaigning on? Millie and Hannah: Indigenous health, awareness in the community around cancer. What Advocacy Training skills have you been able to take back to your community/networks? Hannah: I have taken them back to my work environment at ‘Save the Children’. We are about to receive a health package, and I want to incorporate my work with Cancer Council NSW with this. Millie: I have been talking to my community from when I run into people at the shops to when I have a coffee with my sisters. I’m saying to them, “let’s kick it!”.

What cancer-related changes would you like to see in the world? Millie: We want to see changes in our community so that we can create a ‘pebble in the water effect’ across all our communities. Hannah on the left, and Millie.

If you could do one thing today to help beat cancer, what would it be? Hannah: Culturally appropriate advertisement to get our people to talk about cancer. Millie: I want no more cancer for our little people.

What inspires you and why? Hannah: Dad, Great Aunty and Nan (the sisters). They always kept us in line. We couldn’t get away with anything. I also inspire myself and try to lead by example. Millie: My Mother. Mighty Woman!

Cancer Council calls on Aboriginal people right across NSW to step up like Millie and Hannah and tell the readers of Volunteer Voice your stories in your words. Fill this space about taking on cancer, and like Millie says, “let’s kick it!”. Give us all a big shout-out, don’t be shy, step up to the fight, let’s win it together. Artwork by Georgina Altona (Kamilaroi People).

Update

The conference was attended by people from all across Cancer Council NSW.

Cancer Information and Support Services division held their inaugural conference, ‘Leaders in Supportive Care: Linking us together’, at Sydney Convention Centre, Darling Harbour, Friday 22 to Sunday 24 March 2013. Much work was done to bring annual, new, and refresher training together for key supportive care programs, involving volunteers and community leaders. Over 200 people attended Day One, which was an exciting day of plenary sessions for the delegates to learn, share and celebrate their work 2

with Cancer Council NSW and their communities.

administration also attended the morning session of Day Two.

Days Two and Three saw over 140 people attend ongoing concurrent workshops and training for programs such as Cancer Connect, Living Well after Cancer, and Support Group leader training. Volunteers from Cancer Information Centres, Direct Cancer services, Transport, and Program

The initiative of bringing leaders together was a first for the division, and resulted in uniting and up-skilling the community leaders from right around NSW. Thank you to all those who attended and helped make the conference a wonderful success.

Much work was done to bring annual, new, and refresher training together for key supportive care programs

from CEO, Jim L’Estrange

Since I joined Cancer Council in June, I have had the opportunity to meet a number of our volunteers who support our cause – at Woolloomooloo, in my travels to regional offices and community centres, and at the events that I attend. Everywhere I turn I see volunteers contributing in such diverse ways – from

providing technical support in Information Services, to taking on roles in our events, to supporting people with cancer and their families at the Cancer Council Information Centres. Volunteers positively impact each and every area of Cancer Council, extend our reach into the community, and leverage our resources to ensure that we are doing all that we can to help beat cancer. And the good news is that thanks to your help we continue to have many successes in our research, in cancer prevention, advocacy, and through the provision of information

and support services for cancer patients, their families and carers and the community. So thank you for lending us your expertise, and thank you for giving us your time, support and energy Together we are working both with and for the wider community to help beat cancer.

...thank you for giving us your time, support and energy 3

VolunteerVoice | Spring2013

Cancer Care and Your Rights For many people, a cancer diagnosis is the start of a long and often complicated journey through the health care system. Navigating this system can be challenging, particularly when you are dealing with the physical and emotional effects of cancer. It can be especially difficult for people who don’t know a lot about the Australian health care system, or people who don’t speak English well. Cancer Council has recently updated and nationalised its booklet, Cancer Care and Your Rights (formerly called Understanding Your Rights). This booklet outlines what a patient can reasonably expect of their treatment team and the health care system. It includes information about insurance and workplace rights, and practical issues such as paying for treatment, finding a specialist, and accessing community services. Receiving good health care is about working in partnership with your health care providers and taking an active role in your care, if you wish to do so. This doesn’t mean you are making demands of your treatment team – it’s about feeling comfortable to ask questions to ensure your needs are met. Just as you can expect certain things of your doctors and the health care system, you also have responsibilities.

A practical guide for people with cancer, their families, carers and friends

Practical and support information

The Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights sets out the following key patient rights, which are explained in the booklet. Some of these rights are formally outlined in law, whereas others are fair and reasonable expectations: • Access – You have a right to receive health care services that address your needs. These services will be free if you are an inpatient in a public hospital who has a current Medicare card. You can obtain a second opinion about your condition.

Day Two started early with a journey to Parliament House. The first session was in the Jubilee Room where Liz Foschia, ABC political reporter, gave everyone a helicopter view of the NSW government as it heads into the 2015 elections. It was a fascinating insight into the Macquarie Street corridors of power.

• Safety – The care you receive should be safe and of a high quality. • Respect – You are entitled to receive care in a way that is respectful of your culture, beliefs, values and characteristics. • Communication – Services, treatment options, risks and costs should be clearly explained to you. The communication should be appropriate and on a regular basis, and you can receive translation and ask questions.

CanAct delegates on the stairs of Parliament House.

• Participation – You can take part in decisions about your health care. For example, you can decide if you want to be treated by a particular health care practitioner; take part in medical research; or participate in the clinical training of junior doctors and medical students. If you don’t want to receive care, you can leave a health facility at any time, at your own risk and liability. • Privacy – Your personal information, such as medical records, should be kept confidential. • Comment – You have a right to give a compliment or make a complaint, and for any concerns to be addressed.

To be most effective, health care is more than a one-way street. If you want communication and patience from your health care providers, it helps to provide the same in return. The three key patient responsibilities are: • Being honest and open – Giving accurate information about your health. • Being considerate – Treating people with dignity and respect. • Being flexible – Understanding that sometimes treatment plans change, based on test results. For more information, call the Cancer Council Helpline to request a free copy of Cancer Care and Your Rights. You can also go to www.cancercouncil.com.au/ publications/understanding-cancer-book/ to download a PDF.

The rest of Day One was spent sharing knowledge and learning how to work with MPs. How do you get past ‘the gatekeeper’? How do you get into your MP’s diary? These questions and more were thrown around and answered by the MPLs and Policy and Advocacy staff.

Seven key patient rights

Key patient responsibilities Cancer Care and Your Rights

Power in Partnership Conference

Barbara Mottram and Premier Barry O’Farrell.

‘Helicopter view’ of the Jubilee Room.

On 22 and 23 May, Policy and Advocacy convened thirty one Cancer Council NSW volunteer Members of Parliament Liaisons (MPLs) from across NSW for a two day leadership summit that we called ‘Power in Partnerships’.

Members of Parliament. They are responsible for establishing an ongoing relationship with their MP, becoming the primary reference point for any cancer-related matters, and to act as ambassadors for Cancer Council.

Power in Partnership was an opportunity for our MPLs to come together and learn, not only from each other, but also from some inspiring guest speakers. Cancer Council currently has 39 MPLs. Their role is to act as an interface between Cancer Council and

Day One keynote speaker, The Hon. Verity Firth, Chief Executive, Public Education Foundation, spoke about her time in Parliament and the impact of Cancer Council in the state political landscape. Matthew Cross, Premier’s Office advisor, spoke to participants about the role MPLs have in supporting their MPs to build a public profile.

It was then time to move into the dining room where The Hon. Shelley Hancock, MP, hosted the Parliamentary Biggest Morning Tea event. This turned out to be an amazing opportunity to showcase our program to parliamentarians, and when Premier Barry O’Farrell endorsed the program, encouraging all MPs to work with Cancer Council in identifying opportunities to join together, there was a feeling of pride and elation amongst our volunteers. By every standard ‘Power in Partnerships’ was an outstanding success. If you would like more information about Cancer Council’s MPL program, please email advocacy@nswcc.org.au or visit our CanAct website.

This turned out to be an amazing opportunity to showcase our program to parliamentarians, and when Premier Barry O’Farrell endorsed the program, encouraging all MPs to work with Cancer Council in identifying opportunities to join together, there was a feeling of pride and elation amongst our volunteers 5

VolunteerVoice | Spring2013

From the Understanding Cancer series

Understanding Cancer of the Uterus Cancer Council has recently updated its information about cancer of the uterus, which is diagnosed in about 2000 Australian women each year. The uterus, or womb, is part of a woman’s reproductive system. It is about the size and shape of a hollow, upsidedown pear. The uterus sits low in the abdomen between the bladder and rectum, and is joined to the vagina (birth canal) by the cervix, which is the neck of the uterus. If a woman becomes pregnant, the uterus is where a foetus grows.

My recovery from the operation was better than I expected. I was sore for a few weeks so tried to take it easy. I gradually started exercising by going for walks around Jane the block and then to the shops.

The female reproductive system

Types of cancer of the uterus Most (about three-quarters) of cancers of the uterus begin in the lining of the uterus (endometrium). Types of endometrial cancer include adenocarcinoma, serous carcinoma and clear cell carcinoma. Uterine sarcomas are less common. They develop in the muscle tissue (myometrium) or connective tissue (stroma). Types include endometrial stromal sarcoma, Müllerian sarcoma (carcinosarcoma) and leiomyosarcoma.

Symptoms

Fallopian tubes

Uterus Endometrium (womb) (uterus lining) Ovary Egg (ovum)

Ovary Cervix (neck of the uterus) Labia (inner and outer lips)

Myometrium (muscle of the womb) Vagina (birth canal)

Surgery The main treatment for cancer of the uterus is surgery. Because uterine cancer is often diagnosed at an early stage, surgery is the only treatment needed for many women. The most common operation is a total hysterectomy, which is when the uterus and cervix are removed. In most cases, the Fallopian tubes and both ovaries are also removed at the same time as a hysterectomy. This operation is called a bilateral salpingo oophorectomy.

Hormone treatment Hormones are substances that are produced naturally in the body. They act as chemical messengers and help control cell growth and activity. Some cancers of the uterus depend on hormones (such as the female hormone oestrogen) to grow. Hormone treatment works by stopping hormones reaching the cancer cells. It’s most commonly used for cancer that has spread or come back, and it may cause breast tenderness, tiredness or appetite changes.

Chemotherapy

Some women also experience a watery discharge (which may have an offensive smell), discomfort or pain in the abdomen, difficult or painful urination and pain during sex.

Regardless of what type of operation you have, you will have to stay in hospital for several days to a week. Recovery time will depend on different factors, including your weight, age, general physical fitness, pre-existing medical conditions, how much tissue was removed and the stage of the cancer.

Chemotherapy is the use of cytotoxic drugs, which kill or slow the growth of cancer cells. It may be used: • for certain types of uterine cancer • if cancer comes back after surgery or radiotherapy • if the cancer does not respond to hormone treatment • if the cancer is advanced at diagnosis.

If you have symptoms, make an appointment with your general practitioner or gynaecologist, who can organise some diagnostic tests.

Side effects may include menopause, an impact on your sexuality, swelling of the body due to blocked or removed lymph nodes (lymphoedema), and internal scar tissue.

Side effects may include feeling sick, vomiting, feeling tired, and some thinning and loss of body and head hair. Most side effects are temporary and steps can often be taken to prevent or reduce them.

The most common symptom of uterine cancer is unusual vaginal bleeding or bleeding after menopause.

Diagnosis

Fallopian tubes

Treatment and side effects

There are several tests that can confirm a diagnosis of cancer of the uterus: • Physical examination – The doctor will feel your abdomen to check for swelling. You may also have a vaginal or cervical examination using an instrument designed to separate the walls of the vagina (a speculum). This is similar to what the doctor does when you have a Pap test, which can detect cervical cancer. • Ultrasound – A pelvic ultrasound uses soundwaves to create a picture of the inside of your uterus and ovaries. A small device called a transducer is put both on the abdomen and gently into your vagina. It makes soundwaves and receives echoes, then a computer creates an image based on these echoes. • Hysteroscopy and biopsy – A hysteroscopy is a procedure that allows your doctor to see inside your uterus. A telescope-like device called a hysteroscope is inserted through your vagina into your womb and some tissue is removed (biopsy) and then sent to a laboratory for examination. • Other tests – Other tests may include a chest x-ray to check your organs are healthy. You may also have blood tests, and CT, MRI or PET scans, which create images of the inside of the body.

Radiotherapy Radiotherapy uses x-rays to kill cancer cells or injure them so they cannot multiply. It may be recommended if you are not well enough for a major operation, and it is also commonly used as an additional treatment to reduce the chance of the cancer coming back. Radiotherapy is given from inside the body (internal brachytherapy) or from outside the body, when a machine directs radiation at the cancer and surrounding tissue. Both types of radiotherapy can cause side effects, including a burning sensation when passing urine (cystitis), reduced vaginal size and menopause. Your radiation oncologist will give you more information about what to expect.

Gynaecological Cancer Awareness September is Gynaecological Cancer Awareness Month. Gynaecological cancers develop in the female reproductive tract, including the ovaries, Fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix, vagina and vulva. Thousands of Australian women are affected by these types of cancer each year. It’s important to raise awareness of gynaecological cancers, and encourage women to have regular screening, such as Pap tests. The earlier cancer is found, the more likely it is to be successfully treated.

This information is an extract from the Understanding Cancer of the Uterus booklet, which is part of Understanding Cancer, a series of more than 45 resources for people with cancer, their families and friends. The series provides easy-to-read information about specific types of cancer, treatments, and emotional and practical issues. It also includes audio-visual materials that can be downloaded or streamed online at www.cancercouncil.com.au/publications/understanding-cancer-book. Publications can also be ordered online or from the Cancer Council Helpline 13 11 20.

Cancer Information

VolunteerVoice | Spring2013

Central and Southern Sydney Local News

Everyone from everywhere

Assisting non-English speakers common languages spoken other than English being Arabic, Chinese, Macedonian and Greek. “With a diagnosis of cancer, patients and their families have a multitude of questions. Being able to obtain information in their preferred language can help them to have a greater understanding of cancerrelated issues, such as treatments, questions to ask your doctor, and coping strategies. This information can assist patients to make confident decisions about treatment and care,” Denise explains.

Cancer Council NSW is constantly working to ensure the relevance of health support services in catering to the needs and issues of all cancer patients. But there is never a ‘one size fits all solution’ in health care, and this is particularly true in our still young nation built on migration. New South Wales is home to many Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities, Australians whose family origins can be traced back to everywhere on Earth. Providing services that address different communities’ cultural beliefs on health and illness, understanding their perceptions and beliefs on cancer, and their acceptance (or not) of Western style medical interventions, treatments and therapy options, all are important issues that need to be at the forefront of Cancer Council’s thinking and planning. As part of ensuring that what we are “thinking and planning” is known to those we are thinking and planning about and for, Cancer Council NSW has developed a very extensive range of publications on a variety of cancer topics and issues. Increasingly we are making these available in community languages to cater for the needs of our non-English speaking population.

Denise Green has volunteered at the St George Hospital Cancer Information Centre, promoting our multilingual resources there, for just over a year and a half, complementing her existing volunteer role as a Living Well After Cancer Facilitator.

CALD communities often have quite distinct cancer issues and concerns.

The surrounding suburbs serviced by Kogarah’s St George Hospital are culturally diverse, the most

Health and lifestyle research such as the 45 and Up Study conducted by Cancer Council NSW showed that compared to participants born in Australia, those born in many non-English speaking countries were more likely to smoke and less likely to have been screened for bowel,

Denise and ‘Jim’ at the St George Cancer Information Centre.

Volunteer Profile

Continued on page 9

“It has been a great experience to have Lena come and work with us as a volunteer Events Administration Intern. She has been a delight to work with over the past four months. Lena has become part of our team here, and she will be greatly missed.” Olivia Googh, Volunteer Coordinator

Lena Wolfgruber responded to our Volunteer Profile questionnaire with her characteristic attention to detail and forthcoming nature. She was actually born in the USA, in the city of Detroit. Her parents moved their young family back to Germany when Lena was three years old, to the small town an hour’s drive out of Munich, Burghausen, where she grew up.

Denise created fact sheet folders for different languages, so that volunteers at the Information Centre have multilingual information at their fingertips. Volunteers regularly update cancer information stands at St George, and maintain signage around the hospital about the availability of multilingual resources. A new multilingual information stand, affectionately known as ‘Jim’, prominent in the waiting room, is loaded with fact sheets for patients and visitors to read. “Hospital staff welcomed the new addition of multilingual information for their patients,” says Denise. “One person commented that being given information in their preferred language was a gift that made them feel cared for,” she added. Our multilingual website and fact sheets in seven languages can be found at www.cancercouncil.com. au/publications/multlingual-cancer-information/

Graduating from high school in July 2012, Lena’s wish to see the world took her first to volunteering at a hospital in Ghana for three months. The experience touched her such that when she arrived in Australia, a country she’d long dreamed of visiting, interning at Cancer Council was a perfect way to combine life in a different place and continue to offer her skills and enthusiasm as a volunteer.

From page 8

cervical or breast cancer. Just two examples – smoking rates among Arabic-born people in NSW is 39.3 per cent for males, and 28.8 per cent in women; 32 per cent of Vietnamese-born men and 20.3 per cent of Chinese-born men are also smoking compared to 14.7 per cent of the general NSW population. These statistics, along with others relating to cervical, liver and stomach cancers, indicate much wider inadequacies in health and lifestyle issues than about cancer alone, but there is little doubt cultural backgrounds do influence the increased likelihood of cancer diagnoses. For people from CALD backgrounds whose English language skills are limited, who don’t have any relatives in Australia, and don’t understand the Australian health system or how to navigate it, being diagnosed with cancer can have a greater and at times even more devastating impact on them and their families than for English speakers. Every activity undertaken by Cancer Council NSW is dedicated to assisting people, wherever they might come from - original inhabitants of this land, the most recent arrivals, or multi-generational English-speaking background Australians. We are committed to the eradication of cancer, and this core mission is as ‘blind’ to the differences between individuals as the disease itself. Cancer attacks anyone from anywhere. Cancer Council supports ‘anyone from anywhere’ in defying cancer. We are doing this better every day, and nowhere more effectively than by engaging with CALD communities to ensure that no-one unnecessarily suffers from cancer because we don’t know about them and they don’t know about us. Read the complete article on Cancer Council and CALD Communities at www.cancercouncil.com.au/76555/. Learn more about Australian immigration law and cancer treatment here: www.cancercouncil.com.au/76803/

Relay For Life has particularly benefited from Lena’s time with Cancer Council. And as you will read on the website, before Lena returned to Germany, she was certain that she had very much benefited from her time at Cancer Council, too. To read Lena’s full profile in her own words, please visit www.cancercouncil.com.au/76519/

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VolunteerVoice | Spring2013

Northern Sydney Local News

13 11 20 Helpline story continued from page 1

Lindy recalls the call from a 28 year old young man who had a brain tumour, and had undergone surgery in July last year. He called as the tumour had come back, deemed inoperable. He needed assistance with seeking $30,000 for another operation. A long call ensued, and the Consultant organised for him to be referred to our Pro Bono Legal and Financial Services program, who then assisted him with all things financial, and also provided him with some practical support as well as emotional and psychological support. Margy called as she had just opened her test results. She asked her consultant not to go mad on her as she knows that it is the doctor that should open the results, not her. Through the phone call we assisted Margy in developing a plan for her immediate actions, gave her the words to talk with her family, and gave her a sense of the here and now. Angelina Jolie’s personal account of her double mastectomy earlier this year generated many calls to the Helpline, mainly from women wanting to know about genetic testing, elective surgery, and the cost of the testing. A very scary prospect for anyone with a family history of breast cancer. To read an extended version of this story featuring real-life case studies from Helpline’s archives, visit www.cancercouncil.com.au/76568/

Of the 16,500 calls received each year, there are calls that particularly stay in the mind of Helpline Consultants, either because of the complexity of the call, or because of the very tragic events surrounding the caller and what they are facing.

Jacquie’s generosity

An invitation to present to the Japanese Club at Chatswood (pictured below) came about through Cancer Council’s attendance at the Lower North Shore Multicultural Network meetings.

Jacquie Drysdale is a six year old who decided that instead of birthday presents this year she would like to ask people to donate to Cancer Council NSW. Her efforts were fantastic. She had an article about her in the Manly Daily, she was interviewed on 2UE radio, and Uncle Pete’s Toys of Warringah Mall donated a birthday present to her for being so selfless.

The group requested to hear more on what Cancer Council does in the community, and about self care for patients and carers. Jess Payne focused on presenting Cancer Council services and information to the group, and Maxine Rosenfield, a counsellor on the Northern Beaches and also part of our Cancer Council counselling program, delivered a talk on emotional resilience. An interpreter was provided by the Multicultural Health Service, and although it was challenging at times to work with the interpreter, it was a very good experience. We hope to deliver more talks such as these at community venues in Willoughby, Ryde and Hornsby.

Jacquie’s mum is a long term donor with Cancer Council NSW and is part of the team that runs the highest fundraising ‘Girl’s Night In’ event for the Northern Sydney Region, which is held in the Northern Beaches Jacquie raised a total of $1,395 and presented a cheque to Kate Searle (pictured above), our Community Relations Coordinator, at her school assembly late May.

Pro bono legal assistance Francis Wong, volunteer with Cancer Council’s Legal and Financial Planning Referral Service, writes... “I have always wanted to apply the skills I developed at university at the community level in the not-for-profit sector, so when I discovered that there was a Cancer Council Summer Clerkship Program, I leapt at the opportunity to become a part of it. “The Cancer Council Legal and Financial Planning Referral Service assists cancer patients and their families to access legal and financial planning services. We help clients receive advice on issues including wills and estates, powers of attorney, early access to superannuation, consumer credit hardship, employment and discrimination. “As a summer clerk, my main responsibilities have included taking instructions from clients in order to assist them with legal or financial matters, and drafting written reports to brief external lawyers and financial planners. I then communicate directly with lawyers and financial planners to follow cases from the client interviewing phase all the way to the delivery of legal or financial advice to our clients. “I was surprised at the amount of trust my supervisors had in me as I began interviewing clients from an early stage in my clerkship and spent significant time taking instructions from them independently. My experiences at Cancer Council have opened my eyes to how we law students can apply our skills and contribute to the not-for-profit and community legal sector.”

Jacquie is hoping to do the same thing next year and is very enthusiastic. When asked by her mum if she wanted to donate to Cancer Council NSW again or choose a new charity, her response was very clear, “Cancer Council all the way!!!! Duh…”.

Francis is a fifth year International Studies/Law student at the University of New South Wales. Read his full article at www.cancercouncil.com.au/76505/

It seems that Jacquie’s generosity has sparked a trend with her friends and other children who have heard her story and want to follow in her footsteps.

Jesse Elkins volunteers in the Northern Sydney region assisting with Relay For Life and working from our office to reach out to existing and potential Cancer Council supporters.

impacts everyone. The hard work everyone does at Cancer Council is absolutely phenomenal, and I wanted nothing more than to be a part of a motivated, passionate, and caring community,” he replies when asked why he chooses to volunteer at Cancer Council.

Jesse is committed to helping beat cancer. “I’ve always been interested in cancer charities as cancer

Read more about Jesse in his own words at www.cancercouncil.com.au/76578/

Volunteer Profile

Confronting Cancer in Japanese

VolunteerVoice | Spring2013

Hunter and Central Coast Local News

Greater Western Sydney Local News

Purple Day

by Esma Adams

Community Speakers Program On Wednesday 27 March Aruni Ratnayake and Michelle Bustamante had the pleasure of training ten new volunteers for the Community Speakers Program. The volunteers bring a great wealth of experience, community and corporate connections, and between them speak five different languages – Arabic, Vietnamese, Filipino, Cantonese and Mandarin.

The original members of the Castle Ridgebacks in attendance at this year’s Purple Day Morning Tea.

“In May 2011 two of my friends died of cancer twelve days apart. My first friend died of oesophageal cancer, and the second one of bowel cancer. “After the first funeral, I read in the local paper that the first Hills Relay For Life was being held at Castle Hill Showground in July of that year, so after making enquiries to the Relay Committee I began getting a team together. I am a resident of Castleridge Retirement Resort. Most team members were residents of the Village, but others were from St Paul’s Church, Castle Hill. Our team was named the Castle Ridgebacks.

This is of great benefit for the Program within the rich multicultural society that is Greater Western Sydney. All the volunteers are highly motivated to increase cancer awareness and prevention within their region, especially within CALD communities. The Greater Western Sydney Team welcome the new volunteers and look forward to working as one to spread awareness throughout the region of how together we can beat and prevent cancer. Below: Volunteers come together to make a real change in their communities.

Cooking to bridge cultures Sandra Shorrock, Community Programs Coordinator, identified that simply providing information on good nutrition often wasn’t enough to help people make the sorts of changes that they needed in order to live healthier lives. With the knowledge that active participation can be a successful way to help people learn, cooking classes were discussed with Mingaletta, a local Aboriginal organisation, as a way of providing people with healthy recipe ideas that are easily done at home. Coordinated by Kylie Prada, Mingaletta Coordinator, and Irene Eves, Cancer Council volunteer, Mingaletta Cooking Classes have proved a great hit. Working with Mingaletta has ensured the development of a culturally appropriate program set in a supportive environment. The

Andreena Kardamis is the Media and Marketing Co-coordinator for Newcastle/ Lake Macquarie Relay For Life.

Volunteer Irene Eves with cooking participant, Pam Whitty.

program runs for four weeks with a maximum of ten participants. To learn more contact your Hunter and Central Coast Region office at (02) 4923 0700.

National Volunteer Week brunch

“Because of the ages of the members we have recently had to give up walking, so now hold a Purple Day Morning Tea at Castleridge. Walking we raised over $30,000. Since holding our Purple Day we have raised over $7,000.

Hunter Central Coast region held a Volunteer Brunch to celebrate National Volunteer Week during May. Administration volunteers from community offices in Erina, Charlestown and Singleton, came together to celebrate the fantastic contribution that they make to the region.

“This year our Purple Day Morning Tea was held on Wednesday 1 May. Participants were encouraged to wear purple. Monte the guide dog was a huge hit with the guests, and the morning tea raised just over $2,000.”

“It was a great opportunity to meet volunteers in each office and to learn from one another. Now that we have met, it will make it lot easier to ring each other to ask for advice,” said Maxine McKay, Erina Fair volunteer. Since the brunch was such a success we will be looking at running another one in a few months.

Volunteer Profile Meiha Cheung is an Eat It To Beat It volunteer, who joined the program in March 2013. She works with a number of schools around Seven Hills. Meiha is passionate about encouraging families to eat enough fruit and vegetables. Having a Cantonese background, she grew up eating healthy food, with meals based around lots of vegetables. Meiha was concerned about children in their primary school years putting on too much weight, and the amount of unhealthy food in children’s lunch boxes. This

made Eat It To Beat It an ideal program for her to get involved with. Meiha now works closely with people from Pacific Islands, Indian and Cantonese backgrounds, talking to parents about adding fruit and vegetables to traditional meals. Eat It To Beat It is looking for more passionate volunteers just like Meiha. If you would like to help your community better understand the benefits of eating more fruit and vegetables, please contact the Eat It To Beat It Hotline on (02) 4923 0710 or email eatittobeatit@nswcc.org.au For more information visit www.eatittobeatit.com.au

Volunteer Profile

Volunteer notices a need Our Community Speakers program will now provide presentations to the Hunter Chinese community thanks to a new volunteer, Dongmei Zhang (pictured below), noticing a need for cancer information in her local community and approaching Cancer Council NSW to make it happen. “It’s important for us to reach all community members, but sometimes it requires someone like Dongmei to help us make that happen,” said Dennis Simpson, Volunteer Community Speakers Coordinator. In addition to providing presentations, Dongmei is also assisting the program by identifying and contacting local Chinese organisations to set up presentation dates.

Andreena chose to volunteer at Cancer Council because “one of my good friends on the committee actually had cancer. Hearing his story – all he has been through and the energy he has for the work Cancer Council does, inspired me to join. I think everyone goes through some sort of medical hardship throughout their lives, and volunteering with an organisation which aims to help those going through hardship is an amazing thing to be involved in.

...volunteering with an organisation which aims to help those going through hardship is an amazing thing to be involved in “The atmosphere created when people come together believing in a cause, and the energy which everyone exerts into that cause” are what Andreena enjoys most about volunteering. “Seeing people from all walks of life come together and share stories and beliefs is an amazing feeling.” Read the rest of Andreena’s profile at www.cancercouncil. com.au/76546/

VolunteerVoice | Spring2013

Western NSW Local News

Northern NSW Local News

The Community Crew who do Sam’s aware

How the West serves ABMT

‘Engage, Effect and Exceed all expectation’

Griffith’s Biggest Morning Tea

who volunteer their time to assist our local communities with events, projects, fundraising and micro volunteering. Our Coffs Harbour office have benefitted greatly from the support of the Community Crew. From micro volunteering requests such as cutting our survivor and carer sashes for our Relay For Life events, filling envelopes with our support information for cancer patients and their families, to bigger requests in re-organising and cleaning out the office’s rear storage shed.

Two barmen volunteers with the Community Crew assisting the Coffs Harbour office.

The C.ex Community Crew is the heart of the Coffs Harbour Ex-Serviceman’s Club Community Engagement Program. All crew members are staff of the C.ex Group

The C.ex Community Engagement Program encompasses in-kind and cash donations on a yearly basis as part of the Club Grants scheme. The C.ex Community Crew focuses on volunteer assistance to organisations, charities and community events all over the Coffs Coast and interstate. The Crew’s motto is to ‘Engage, Effect and Exceed all expectation’ when assisting their community, and their ambition is to be inclusive, proactive, and caring in all that they do.

Volunteer Profile Following retirement, Nerida Dean knew that an excellent way to become part of the local community was to become a volunteer. As a Cancer Council NSW Volunteer, Nerida has previously been involved with Daffodil Day and the Tobacco Survey, and is currently actively involved as a Community Speaker, Advocate, and Eat it to Beat it Program Facilitator. Since losing a family member to breast cancer 6 years ago, Nerida has been hosting Biggest Morning Teas and Pink Ribbon events that have raised much needed funds for cancer research and patient support. Nerida’s professional background, which includes high school teaching, adult training and work safety with the Commonwealth Government, has seen her volunteering with pre-school committees, P&Cs, junior sporting groups,

Having had an active melanoma removed from her arm in 2010, and then dealing with her mother’s more serious retina melanoma in 2011, Sam Hall is well aware of the importance of the valuable research and support services provided by Cancer Council NSW. Sam has volunteered with Cancer Council for just under a year, and in her first six months as an Events Assistant she worked on Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea and Daffodil Day. Sam recognised that volunteering was a great opportunity to complement her TAFE Diploma of Event Management, but was just as excited to work on two much loved Cancer Council events. Read Sam’s complete profile at www.cancercouncil.com.au/76469/

and Rotary. Impressively, whilst living in Queanbeyan Nerida also sat on several boards and spent 16 years as a health consumer advocate at both local and State levels. Nerida states, “Volunteering gives back to you more than you ever expect. Over the last 30 years volunteering has taken me to places such as Thailand, Japan and Canada. I have met people from all walks of life, frequently those who have overcome great adversities in their lives but still keep on with a smile on their faces. Volunteering makes me happy”. When not volunteering for Cancer Council NSW, Nerida is involved in Rotary at both the club and district levels, and has in the last year started her own business to assist people in the transition from employment to retirement. We are truly fortunate to have such a dedicated and skilled volunteer. Thank you Nerida!

Once again the ladies in Griffith did a superb job with organising Griffith’s Biggest Morning Tea, which is held every year at the Exies Club in Griffith. Deanna Marriott and Jan Newman have been organising the event for the past 20 years, and have raised an enormous amount of money for Cancer Council NSW. Up at 4am the morning of the event, Deanna baked 700 scones! She and Jan would like to thank the whole Griffith community for supporting their morning tea over the years. The staff in the Wagga office would like to thank Deanna and Jan, twice over!

for Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea. With Indira’s help, Wagga’s first Multicultural Morning Tea was a huge success.

Wagga’s Multicultural Morning Tea

Held on Saturday 11 May, hundreds of members of the very diverse Wagga community came together to share their traditional food items for the morning tea. Indira is a member of Wagga’s Sri Lankan community, and she organised Indian, Pakistani, Burmese, African, Tongan, Filipino, Sri Lankan and Bangladeshi locals to be a part of the event.

Wagga’s event had an international flavour for the first time this year. Indira Wittamperuma was the Multicultural Event Volunteer Organiser

Emily Gordon and Marg Marr (pictured above) both volunteer in the Wagga office and enjoyed themselves helping at the Multicultural Morning

Visit www.facebook.com/ australiasbiggestmorningtea for a picture of Deanna and Jan on the day.

Great Gatsby premiere Thursday 30 May was the premiere of the much anticipated film The Great Gatsby, and Cancer Council’s Western Region held a charity screening at the Griffith City Cinema. It was an eventful night with lots of locals from the area coming along to support. We had lucky door prizes, raffles, pizza, and even a 1920’s car on site, which made for great photo opportunities. Griffith Fancy Dress Hire ‘Betty Boo’ kindly donated 1920’s inspired outfits to all the staff and volunteers who went along. Cancer Council Western region would like to say a huge “thank you!” to the Griffith Community for getting behind the night out at the movies and making it such a success. Pictured left: glammed up Gatsby style!

Tea as well. While very successfully selling raffle tickets, they really liked being able to taste the various foods that were available to everyone who attended.

Gundagai’s Biggest Morning Tea Every year Pam Crowe (pictured above, centre) organises a fabulous morning tea in Gundagai, where locals come together to enjoy the delicious array of morning tea treats and good conversation. A huge “Thank you” goes out to everyone who attended, and in particular, to those members of the Gundagai community that helped out on the day and supported the event.

MP Liaison Training Three Member of Parliament Liaison (MPL) volunteers and three staff members from the Western region attended two days of training in Sydney in May. The training offered great MPL Volunteers Maureen Dietmann insight into the (far left), Jenny Jensen (third from right, working minds of our back row), and Lloyd Coleman (far right) local politicians, and with Cancer Council staff. will arm all our MPLs with an array of skills to help secure meetings and keep our MPs up to date on all things related to defeating cancer. It wasn’t all work! We were treated to a morning tea at Parliament House, which included a cake decorating competition won by the Premier, Barry O’Farrell. A tour of the building followed, and some time to sit and listen to current debates, which were extremely entertaining. 17

VolunteerVoice | Spring2013

Southern NSW Local News

Book review

Project Good News How Cancer Council works with local Macedonian and Serbian communities to reduce the stigma associated with cancer. Research conducted in 2012 by the University of Wollongong with members of the Serbian and Macedonian community in the Illawarra has highlighted that cancer is greatly feared and often strongly associated with death, grief and loss. Community members often feel that cancer is something they can’t control or prevent. It can also be very difficult to talk about cancer, or even say the word for fear of its power to affect our lives. To address some of these fears and concerns, Cancer Council NSW (Southern Region) is working with the Centre for Health Initiatives (UOW) and the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (Multicultural Health and Cancer Services) in consultation with members of the Serbian and Macedonian community in the Illawarra on Project Good News. The project aims to improve understanding that cancer screening tests save lives, and that when cancer is detected early it can be treated more easily and more effectively. To help to spread the good news and reduce stigma, resources are being developed which are tailored specifically for the two communities. These will include

A Man’s Grief: Death of a Spouse

Left to right: Julie Hall, Josh Beard, Lyn Phillipson and Leah Dawson, working on developing the resources for Project Good News.

breast cancer and bowel cancer newsletters, radio advertisements, a website and speakers notes and presentations for community education. This project is to be launched in August/September, and we are looking to recruit Serbian and Macedonian community members who may be interested in being involved in ongoing community education and group discussions. If you know anyone that would be interested in supporting this program please contact Leah Dawson on (02) 4223 0200. This project has been funded by a grant from the Cancer Institute NSW.

Woolyungah Univative Aboriginal people are 60 per cent more likely than non-Aboriginal Australians to die from their cancer

Left to right: Jessica Bulger, Project Officer and ITAS Coordinator, Woolyungah Indigenous Centre; Mardella Bassett (JP), Faculty Career Consultant, Careers Central, Academic Services Division; Michelle Rush Centre Manager/ ITAS Supervisor; Leah Dawson, Southern Region Volunteers Coordinator.

Cancer Council NSW Southern Region is working with The University of Wollongong’s (UOW) Indigenous Centre, Woolyungah, in forming the first ever UOW Indigenous Univative, which will be a group of around ten students who will create two teams. The teams will collaborate to investigate the issues, explore possibilities, and come up with innovative solutions and recommendations around the issue of how best to engage the

indigenous community with Cancer Council to ensure that our health and cancer prevention messages are directly received. This is so important because Aboriginal people are 60 per cent more likely than non-Aboriginal Australians to die from their cancer. For some cancers, the death rate for Aboriginal Australians is more than three times higher than for non-Aboriginal Australians. This project will be lead by two influential Aboriginal community members, which will assist the credibility of the project. Team findings will be presented to the Cancer Council NSW Southern Region and supported by a written report. We are really excited to partner with University of Wollongong’s Woolyungah Indigenous Centre on this project.

Colin Thatcher was Chief Executive of the Western Australian Department of Productivity and Labour Relations when his partner of almost 25 years, Joanne, died without warning. For the next two years he kept a journal. A Man’s Grief: Death of a Spouse is an honest and candid description of one man’s experiences after the sudden death of his wife. Raw emotions of pain, guilt, regret and disorientation are shared as traditional beliefs are challenged. What emerges is a story of hope and personal growth. For a man faced with the death of his spouse, or the family or work colleagues of someone whose partner has died, A Man’s Grief is essential reading. However, the book has wide appeal as it is compassionate and insightful reading for anyone who participates in a loving relationship. For all of us, A Man’s Grief serves a respectful reminder about the impact of death on our lives.

...the book has wide appeal as it is compassionate and insightful reading for anyone who participates in a loving relationship

Recipe Corner Sang Choi Bao Preparation time, 10 minutes. Cooking time, 10 minutes. Ingredients 200g lean pork mince 200g lean chicken mince 2 garlic cloves, crushed 3cm piece of ginger, peeled, finely grated 1 tbsp olive oil 1 carrot, diced 1 onion, diced 100g mushroom, chopped 2 tbsp reduced-salt soy sauce 2 tbsp oyster sauce 3 shallots, trimmed, finely chopped 100g tinned water chestnuts, chopped 8 medium iceberg lettuce leaves Method Combine pork mince, chicken mince, garlic and ginger in a bowl. Heat half the oil in a non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat. Sauté

Special thanks to all volunteers, staff and supporters of Cancer Council NSW for making Daffodil Day 2013 such a huge success. Next year let’s all do it again growing hope for a cancer-free future.

www.daffodilday.com.au/ volunteer

the onion and carrot until soft and then add the mushroom. Continue cooking until mushrooms are soft, then set aside. Heat the remaining oil in a non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat and add mince. Stir-fry for about five minutes or until the colour changes. Add the onion and carrot to the mince together with the soy and oyster sauces, then stir-fry for a further 2 minutes. Stir through shallots and water chestnuts. Transfer to a serving bowl and allow everyone to serve themselves by filling lettuce leaves with mince mixture. Enjoy. Variation: If water chestnuts are not available, try bean sprouts instead. Recipe from Sprout Dining, Newcastle.

Friday 25 October 2013 Registrations now open. Contribute to the fight against breast cancer by joining us in raising awareness and funds.

www.pinkribbonday.com. au/volunteer 19

VolunteerVoice | Spring2013

Events Calendar Relays For Life Maitland: Maitland Sports Ground, James St, Maitland, 7 September Manly: Keirle Park, 277 Pittwater Rd, Manly, 7 September Gloucester: Bert Gallagher Oval, Gloucester, 14 September Hay: Hay Park, 21 September Illawarra: Kerryn McCann Athletics Centre, Gwyneville, 21 September Dubbo & District: Victoria No. 1 Oval, Dubbo, 21 September Camden & District: Rotary Onslow Park, Camden, 21 September Cessnock: Baddeley Park, Vincent St, Cessnock, 12 October Mingara: Mingara Athletic Track, Wyong Road, Tumbi Umbi, 12 October Wagga Wagga: Paramore Park, 12 October Newcastle/Lake Macquarie: Hunter Sports Centre, Stockland Drive, Glendale, 2 November Fairfield: Horsley Park Reserve, 2 November

Ballina Shire: Kingsford Smith Park, Ballina, 2 November Inner West: King George Park, Rozelle, 9 November Forbes & District: South Circle Oval and Lake Forbes, 9 November Merriwa: Merriwa Showground, 30 November Find a local Relay here www.relay. cancercouncil.com.au/find Visit www.cancercouncil.com.au/getinvolved/events for more information on Cancer Council’s 2013 events.

Star Volunteer Help recognise and highlight the amazing work of our volunteers in helping us to defeat cancer. Nominations for Star Volunteers are currently being accepted at www.cancercouncil.com.au/ 67850/. Winners are announced on the first Wednesday of each month. Visit the Cancer Council NSW website and search ‘Star Volunteer Award’ for more information.

Help us beat cancer Join a research study NOW! 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.

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Your local Cancer Council contact details

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 0700 Upper Hunter Community Office 69 John St, Singleton 2330 (PO Box 570) ................................................................................................ (02) 6571 2899 Erina Fair Community Office The Hive, Erina Fair, Erina NSW 2250 (PO Box 5102) ................................................................................ (02) 4336 4500 Northern NSW Suites 8 & 9, Level 1, 130 Jonson Street, Byron Bay NSW 2481 .......................................................................................... (02) 6627 0300 Coffs Harbour Office 121 High St, Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 ................................................................................................................................... (02) 6659 8400 Tamworth Office Shop 1, 218 Peel St, Tamworth NSW 2340 (PO Box 1616) ................................................................................................. (02) 6763 0900 Southern 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 0200 Bega Community Office Shop 8, Auckland Plaza, 81-83 Auckland St, Bega NSW 2550 (PO Box 772) .................................... (02) 6492 1805 Queanbeyan Community Office Southern NSW Medicare Local, 15 Crawford St, Queanbeyan NSW 2620 (PO Box 1506) ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 0413 886 584 Western NSW Orange Regional Office, 75 Kite St, Orange NSW 2800 (PO Box 1977) ............................................................................. (02) 6392 0800 Wagga Wagga Office: 1/37 Tompson St, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650 (PO Box 1164) ............................................................................... (02) 6937 2600 Young Community Office: Suite 8, Millard Centre, Boorowa St, Young NSW 2594 ................................................................................... (02) 6382 3426

CAN3001 09/13

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