The Cancer Council has launched a #CancerKindness campaign encouraging Illawarra residents to join the Kindness Pandemic and carry out an act of kindness to someone affected by cancer.
The Cancer Council has created a list of some simple ways people can help a person affected by cancer or their carer
The #CancerKindness campaign was being spearheaded by Ayman Barbaresco who was already a key part of the Kindness Pandemic team.
After experiencing his own cancer diagnosis he wanted to support other people affected by cancer. But sadly Ayman didn't make it to the intended launch date.
To honour his memory and his legacy, Cancer Council and the Kindness Pandemic have teamed up to encourage people to carry out acts of kindness for those with cancer.
Kindness Pandemic co-founder Merrin Wake said "we wanted to do something to help people in need. We've run campaigns like thank-a-postie, blindness-kindness for people who are vision impaired and acts of kindness for supermarket workers.
"Ayman was committed to making sure no-one affected by cancer felt alone.. So to honour Ayman's legacy, we are calling on the community to carry out an act of kindness for someone affected by cancer and share it on social media using the hashtag #cancerkindness."
Cancer Council Australia chief executive Professor Sanchia Aranda said 2020 had seen a seismic shift in values and provided a chance for many people to re-evaluate their lives and think about how they can help others.
"COVID-19 has made everyday life much more difficult for all of us, but for those affected by cancer, these hardships are exacerbated," Prof Aranda said.
"Sometimes help with simple and practical tasks can make a big difference to someone affected by cancer. It could be helping someone with their grocery shopping, picking up medicine or dropping off a meal."
Professor Aranda said carers may also need a helping hand, particularly during COVID-19
"Carers can sometimes be overlooked during the cancer journey, yet often all of their energy is focussed on looking after their loved ones which can be emotionally and physically exhausting. If you know someone who is a carer, stopping to ask them how they are coping or asking them if you can help them can go a long way in easing some of the stress they might be feeling."
At the start of the COVID-19 outbreak the Kindness Pandemic social media group grew to 500,000 members in less than two weeks. Soon after the Illawarra Kindness Pandemic was launched.
Read more:
- Trying a little kindness to make the world a little brighter through coronavirus
- When COVID-19 forced one family business to close they made 5000 meals for the homeless and those in need
- Why Country Grocer and its customers are saying thank you to health and emergency workers with free coffee during COVID-19
- Wollongong-founded COVID-19 Facebook foodie group 'Illawarra Menus' racks up 20,000 followers in six days
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Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
