Emily’s Story
For Emily and her family, volunteering with Pankind is personal. It’s how they honour her dad, find comfort in their grief and support a cause that has deeply touched their lives.
Emily’s connection to Pankind began in 2014 when her dad started volunteering with The Avner Foundation (now Pankind). Through Woolworths, Graeme (Emily’s dad) helped organise the barbecue for the Put Your Foot Down Walks in Melbourne. From there, volunteering became a family tradition.
“He asked the family for a helping hand, and the rest is history,” Emily says. “Once you’re part of a community like Pankind, you just keep saying yes.”
In July 2021, their connection with the cause took on a deeper meaning. Her dad was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer after initially experiencing hip pain. This was later discovered to be linked to a tumour. His two-year treatment journey was difficult, and the family focused on being together as much as they could. Despite the challenges during this time, Emily, Graeme and the rest of the family still participated and volunteered at the annual Put Your Foot Down walk. Sadly, Graeme passed away in May 2023.
Volunteering was a way of life for Graeme and Emily continues to follow in the same footsteps by honoring her dad’s legacy of giving back.
Finding Comfort Through Action
For Emily, giving back isn’t just about the events, it is about connecting with the community and strengthening hope for those who are enduring similar challenges. If she can carry forward her dad’s legacy, that would be a bonus.
She brought her students on board, encouraging them to marshal at the walks, an opportunity to teach the value of contributing to a cause like Pankind. Every year, a group from her school pitches in to help make the walks a success.
Her daughter India and son Joshua (the third generation), have also embraced the spirit of volunteering, helping run the kids’ activities at the walks. Emily’s sister Belinda has joined efforts in running a Pankind walk in Cairns[EC1] . Together, the family has found ways to honor their dad whilst giving back to the community.
“It feels good to bring people together and know you’re helping,” Emily says. “It’s rewarding to see so many people with a story or connection coming together for the same cause.”
Volunteering isn’t just about the events or the fundraising. For Emily, it’s also about the hope it brings. She remembers how much her dad valued the kindness of the oncology nurses who cared for him. Their warmth and compassion stayed with him and brought comfort during his toughest days. “He couldn’t speak highly enough of them,” Emily shares. “Their kindness went a long way, and their smiles and time made such a difference to his journey.”
A Simple Way to Help
Emily wants people to know that volunteering doesn’t have to be overwhelming. “Even small contributions make a difference,” she says. “It’s the little things, like organising marshals or helping on the day, that make someone else’s job easier.”
She also sees volunteering as a way to teach her children about values. “It’s about giving back, not what you get out of it,” she explains. “That’s the legacy my dad passed on to us, and I hope to pass it on to my children too.”
Emily’s family also takes part in Remember September, another great initiative that helps everyone stay connected and pay tribute to her dad whilst raising awareness and funds.
Take the First Step
Emily’s story is a reminder of how powerful volunteering can be. It’s a way to give back, connect with others and make a difference for families facing pancreatic cancer.
There are so many ways to get involved with Pankind (hyperlink to the get involved overview page). Join a walk. Support a campaign. Volunteer your time. We can’t do this alone, let’s make real progress together in 2025.
