News
National Volunteer Week for 2024
National Volunteer Week is Australia’s largest annual celebration of volunteering; providing an opportunity to highlight the role of volunteers.
During the week (20 to 26 May) the Illawarra Cancer Carers participated in a number of different ways:
- Hosted an information stall at the Wollongong City Council Volunteer Expo
- Attended a morning tea hosted by the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District
- Featured on the ISLHD Facebook page – see story below:
At ISLHD, we are grateful for the generosity of time and spirit of many volunteers in a variety of capacities. During National Volunteer Week (20-26 May), we’re proud to shine a spotlight on some of the amazing volunteers making a difference to our communities. Meet Leslie from the Illawarra Cancer Carers, an organisation whose volunteers assist the Illawarra Cancer Care Centre and Haematology and Oncology Wards at Wollongong Hospital.
Soon to be celebrating her 80th birthday, Leslie says it was an unexpected gift when she began volunteering as an Illawarra Cancer Carer more than 20 years ago.
“Volunteering is more like me than anything else I’ve ever done! When I started with this group, I felt like I had finally found my calling.’’
Leslie said what she and the other Illawarra Cancer Carers volunteers have in common is an understanding that small acts of kindness have a meaningful impact on others and the knowledge that the volunteer is also positively impacted by the act of giving to the patients.
“We all benefit from the experience. There’s nothing like helping people by going out and getting involved. It also keeps you from sitting at home by staying active – I know there are patients waiting for me and the cup of tea or sandwiches and, for many, the chat we share when I visit them is something they remember long after they have finished their treatment,” she said.
Thank you, Leslie for all that you do as a volunteer and to all the generous people giving their time and support in a volunteer capacity, we salute you this National Volunteer Week.
