Cancer Council Queensland 60th Anniversary

Earlier this month I had the privilege of celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Cancer Council Queensland with staff and volunteers. They are dedicated to improving quality of life for people living with cancer, through research, patient care, prevention and early detection. The CEO, Chris McMillan, reflected on the work the Gold Coast volunteers gave, and gave insight into how important the work is and how tireless volunteers are. They do fundraising campaigns, such as Daffodil Day, the Gold Coast Marathon, merchandise sales, runs, walks, skipping and bingo events and all sorts of activities to raise money to support those people living with cancer. Volunteers gave time to run daffodil shops, for approximately 25 years, and supported locals undergoing chemotherapy by supplying wigs and turbans. Volunteers helped run the first mobile breast screen mammography bus on the Gold Coast over two decades ago.

Two of the great volunteers present at the event were Di Dixon and Julie Ferguson, well known on the Gold Coast. Di has been volunteering for 43 years with Cancer Council. She started because a close friend lost their son to cancer and she lost her brother to the same cancer. And Julie’s husband contracted cancer after she started her involvement, making the work even more personal for her. Well done and thank you to all those who have contributed to the work of the Cancer Council Queensland over six decades.