The difference Loys made
It takes someone special to volunteer their time and energy to help those affected by cancer. Loys Thompson AM has dedicated much of her life to doing just that, finally passing on the baton to a new generation of volunteers after 45 years as a volunteer for Can Assist.
Working as a social worker in the radiotherapy unit of Prince of
Wales hospital in 1966, Loys experienced first hand the impact
cancer had on the lives of country Australians.
"I looked around me and saw all these forlorn faces. They were
cancer patients from the Jean Colvin Hospital, and had to travel to
get to Prince of Wales. I asked how they travelled back and forth,
to which they replied 'with great difficulty'."
That's when Loys knew something had to be done, embarking on the
first of her many projects to help cancer patients access the care
and treatment they so desperately needed.
"I called the Lions Club of Randwick and with their help
received funding for transport to help these cancer patients travel
to the radiotherapy unit. Soon after I was asked to join the
management committee of the Cancer Patients Assistance Society of
NSW, now known as CanAssist."
Volunteering is rewarding, but you need
time and the dedication... This comes down to passion.
It was in this role that Loys volunteered countless hours
helping cancer patients in her roles as volunteer, member of
the Board of Directors and President of CanAssist.
Her work has been vital in making sure people with cancer and
their loved-ones in regional areas have the support they need for
cancer management and accessing care. They face unique challenges
when it comes to overcoming the difficulties of distance, financial
burden and being away from family.
"I am most proud of my work in developing country branches.
Country people are disadvantaged in many ways when it comes to
cancer, and it became an aim of mine to help them and make a
difference," she said.
It was that drive to make a difference that Loys says is a
valuable quality for anyone who is considering dedicating their
time to volunteering for any cause, including cancer.
"Most of us are or have been affected by cancer in some way, and
as screening participation improves and the population gets older,
more of us will be impacted by the disease.
"Volunteering is rewarding, but you need time and the dedication
to follow things through to the end. This comes down to passion.
There are so many deserving charities out there, and I chose
CanAssist because of my early experience with country people
affected by cancer," Mrs Thompson said.
"I just wanted to try and make a difference," she repeated.
And to more than 75,000 people, she did.
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