MY VOLUNTEER WORK.

Ever since I was a teenager I’ve done volunteer work and these days it’s related to cancer and breast cancer. It’s ‘my cause’, the thing I want to contribute to and it started a few days before my first mastectomy when I volunteered my boob to science.

Yup I signed over my boob to a researcher who has the live breast tissue bank in Australia right here in Adelaide, this is a pic of us together a few months after I finished treatment. My hair was growing but my lashes and brows were struggling and I had one boob, looking back on these photos shows me how far I’ve come in the last 18 months.

These days I volunteer with ‘The Hospital Research Foundation’ which is closely linked to the research centre that has my breasts and the hospital I’m treated in. I started my relationship with them the week after I finished chemo when they came to home to interview me for their Dry July campaign. Yes, that’s me below having my first interview.

I signed on as an ambassador, raised money and did some public speaking for them at the opening of a home lottery. I stood there with my one boob in front of builders and business people and spoke of cancer…there were tears, yup grown men too and I got a kick out of reaching people. I did radio and TV and have been interviewed again for their newsletters and fundraising campaigns. Oh my goodness, look at that moonface 🙂

I was there when they christened the land they purchased for their ‘Under Our Roof Project’…

and again when the slab was laid.

This is a project that’s important, building 2 beautiful houses for country patients to stay in while undergoing treatment. The homes are close to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and are designed and constructed by local firm Scott Salisbury Homes.

Late last year I approached the girls at the foundation and told them I’d like to do some more regular volunteer work in the office, not just fundraising but regular stuff to balance my day to day life. Well they loved that and now I’m on board helping to finish off the Under Our Roof Project.

The houses are nearly complete and then it’s time to turn these houses into a home away from home. Fitting them out with thought, consideration and a healthy dose of style and comfort. Oh hello fun times ahead!

Last week I did my first Thursday in the office with the team, and freakin loved it! I then had a catch up with a researcher who’s applying for a grant for some exciting research. In a couple of weeks I’ll be attending the grand opening of another lottery home, it’s beachside so I’m definitely buying tickets! I’ll also do some filming and meet up with fundraisers, I pinch myself…so blessed.

Giving back feels good, it can be a bit of extra stuff added to my workload but when it’s something I believe in and I see the difference it makes to the lives of people in my community then it doesn’t feel like hard work. It just feels good.

From time to time I’m going to do updates and share photos of my time doing this feel good work. It’s part of my life and you all know I like to share LOL.

Til next time,

Jen x