Next week, WA’s leading cancer support provider – Solaris Cancer Care – is giving thanks to its volunteers during National Volunteer Week (20 – 26 May).
Now in its 30th year, National Volunteer Week is the largest celebration of volunteers and volunteerism in Australia and provides an opportunity to highlight the role of volunteers in the community and to say thank you to the more than 6 million Australians who volunteer nationally.
“The theme for this year, making a world of difference, speaks volumes to the contributions Solaris Cancer Care volunteers make to in the lives of cancer patients and their carers in WA,” said Solaris Cancer Care CEO, David Edwards.
The non-profit currently receives no ongoing government funding, relying on the generosity of donations from the Western Australian community, coupled with in-kind support from 350 volunteers, believed to be one of the largest volunteer base in the State.
In 2018, Solaris Cancer Care provided more than 25,000 treatments, valued at over $1.75.
“Each of our volunteers plays a vital role in helping patients during a difficult time in their life. From the meet and greet team to the therapists who provide free massage and reflexology treatments, they are all part of the unique tapestry of Solaris, and we stop to thank them all,” said Edwards.
“The thing that makes our volunteers so interesting is that they’ve chosen Solaris for different reasons. Some are prior patients, others were drawn to the cause after hearing about Solaris from friends. We even have health service students join our volunteer ranks in order to improve their soft skills before graduating.”
Volunteering Australia’s State of Volunteering in Australia report found that 93% of volunteers saw positive outcomes as a direct result of their voluntary participation.
Unfortunately, budget concerns for Solaris Cancer Care are putting pressure on the organisation to limit operating hours at its regional centres in Bunbury and Albany, meaning that volunteers could be lost taking training, skills and capacity with them.
To prevent this, Solaris Cancer Care is calling on generous Western Australian’s who have been touched by cancer as it raises funds and awareness during its May we Thrive campaign.
For more information and to make a one-off tax deductable donation, visit www.solaristhrive.com.au
