When Karen McDermott was going through treatment for breast cancer, the support services provided by Cancer Council Tasmania proved invaluable.
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Now she is using her craft skills to give back to the organisation she said helped save her life.
On Friday, she will be volunteering at Cancer Council Tasmania's Kings Meadows stall as part of fundraising efforts for Daffodil Day.
For the past few months Ms McDermott has been participating in the 3000 Daffodils project, where she and a special friend hand-crocheted more than 40 cloth daffodils to be sold.
With a compromised immune system, Ms McDermott was unable to work for 10 weeks during COVID-19 lockdowns. Fortunately, she had her craft to keep busy.
"I set myself a challenge to make daffodils for Daffodil Day," she said.
"I have never crocheted flowers before. I have done blankets and things, but not for a long time. So I started with the flowers and once I had about four of them I thought - I need a whole bunch. So I just kept going."
Like many Tasmanians whose lives have been impacted by cancer, Daffodil Day is a personal cause for Ms McDermott.
She first became involved with the Cancer Council after her breast cancer diagnosis last year, and credits the organisation's support services with helping her through a very challenging time.
"I had to give up work for 10 months through my treatment," she said. "I did their mindfulness, pilates, exercise and programs. I learnt a lot of things, but importantly they kept me busy and gave me a community of people to support me through that time."
A registered nurse for more than 35 years, Karen is now back at work one day a week, curtailed because of the ongoing pandemic.
Along with helping to brighten up someone's day, Ms McDermott is hoping her crafty contribution will help support cancer research.
"It's meaningful to think someone else can appreciate what you are doing. But it also has a purpose behind it. For me it's about giving back," she said.
"Cancer has a huge impact on your life. This money raised will go towards cancer research, and anything I can do to help future people who might suffer from this disease .... it's just so important."
Daffodil Day stalls will take place across Launceston on Thursday and Friday.
For more information visit cancertas.org.au/.
The following Daffodil Day stalls will be run on Thursday, August 27 and Friday, August 28 from 9am-4pm:
- Meadow Mews
- Woolworths Kings Meadows
- IGA Prospect
- Prospect vale Marketplace
- Riverside Plaza
- Woolworths Legana
- Brisbane Street Mall
- Mowbray Marketplace
- Kmart Plaza
- Scottsdale, Rose's newsagent
- Woolworths Deloraine (Thursday only)
- Woolworths Georgetown (Friday only)
- Campbell town IGA (Friday only)
Jessica Willard
Being a health reporter to me is about more than just reporting the problems. It's about asking why they are happening in the first place and what needs to change to fix it.
Being a health reporter to me is about more than just reporting the problems. It's about asking why they are happening in the first place and what needs to change to fix it.
