Relay For Life was a fantastic success
What a great day ! Relay for Life 2012 in the Southern Highlands was an outstanding success. This was a great tribute to the months of hard work of the organising committee, led by Judi O'Brien. The district turned on marvellous weather for the whole day, even if the night was a little chilly, and the number of people participating was simply massive.
The morning began with two major features : the Survivors and Carers Walk, accompanied by piper Andrew Hearn, and just before it took place, we listened to a totally inspirational speech from Jane Harris, one of those cancer survivors. (Jane's moving address can now be read in full on this website - see under News and Events.) In addition to the actual relay, the well-organised event was packed with activities for young and old. The popular Miss Relay contest definitely showed what a fun day it was.
Now, the results :
Altogether there were 74 teams taking part and, the last time I looked, the total amount raised was over $207,000 ! A great result when you consider that the target was $200,000 and the proceeds are still coming in. A fantastic result when you consider the number of people who live in this district. This result will make a wonderful contribution to the work of Cancer Council NSW which maintains major research projects on the causes and treatment of cancer, costing $16 million this year. In addition, the funds raised will help their other ongoing programs : the Helpline 13 11 20; telephone support groups; Living with Cancer programs; peer support systems; booklet and online information services.
Here in the Highlands, apart from advances in treatment flowing from research and those support services listed above, we also have the benefit of Cancer Council services delivered locally : the Patient Transport Service; the General and Practical Support service (GAPS); and the Cancer Council Information Centre. All of these services in the Wingecarribee are made possible by the great work of our local volunteers in partnership with Cancer Council NSW.
Cancer Council wins award for transparency
The winner of the 5th annual PriceWaterhouseCoopers Award for Transparency in the not-for-profit sector was Cancer Council NSW. Charities asking the public to contribute to their work these days have to be transparent, cost-efficient and accountable. Given what was just achieved in the Highlands to donate to this cause, it is good to know they are rated so highly for the way the funds are then managed and spent.Filling the GAPS
We have a new name for our Volunteer In Home Support service. It is now GAPS : General and Practical Support. The new title is apt because the service was intended all along to “fill in the gaps” where cancer patients or their carers need support in the home. This change will not affect the range of services available. It has been made to more accurately reflect the fact that much of the assistance patients are being given is actually outside the home : e.g. transport to medical appointments or shopping, or to connect with the Patient Transport Service bus. Speaking of which, the GAPS service does need new drivers. If you would like to volunteer as a driver, please contact the Volunteer Co-ordinator, Suzy Kennon, on 0428 681 926 or by sending an email to shvihs@y7mail.com
Coming Events
• National Volunteer Week, May 14th -20th• National Palliative Care Week, May 20th -26th
• Biggest Morning Tea at Cancer Centre, May 24th; look for others also that week
• World No Tobacco Day, May 31st
• Medical Research Week June 1st -8th
• Bowel Cancer Awareness Week, June 3rd -9th
• Can Assist meeting, 10am Thursday, June 14th at the old Bowral Hospital
• Men’s Health Expo, St Jude’s Anglican Church, Bowral, June 16th, 8.30am–2pm
Grahame Hackett (Chair, SHCLC)
info@sh-cancerconnect.com.au
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