Eurobodalla Transport to Treatment services have said farewell to two of their cherished volunteers, John Armstrong and Ada Uebergang, recently.
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With more than 18 years of experience between them, Mr Armstrong and Ms Uebergang have recently retired and are moving on to start the next chapter in their lives.
Having offered their services, support and giving hearts, their presence at Eurobodalla Transport to Treatment will be greatly missed, a Cancer Council spokesperson said.
Dianne Skelton, supervisor for the transport services and winner of the region’s Volunteer of the Year award, acknowledged their work and the support they provided cancer patients and their families.
“John was always willing to do long distance trips,” Mrs Skelton said.
“He always put his hand up to go to places such as Canberra and would always volunteer when no one else could.”
Having had his own personal journey with cancer, Mr Armstrong was able to relate and connect with patients and their families and offer stories and insight from his own experiences as they travelled to and from treatment.
“It was handy to have that experience and be able to chat with people who were going through it themselves,” Mr Armstrong said.
“I enjoyed being able to give back something to the community especially patients, carers and families.
“Besides the transport, a lot of people are interested in having someone to talk to during the transport process.”
The work of Ms Uebergang is recognised and acknowledged by the entire Cancer Council team, cancer patients, and carers. Now in her eighties, she has decided to retire.
Mrs Skelton said Ms Uebergang should be remembered and acknowledged by the community as she was a gentle, compassionate woman who had a positive influence on the cancer patients, carers and their families as they drove to and from treatment.
“She’s just an amazing person. She would come from Moruya, pick up patients and transport them home,” she said.
“She is just a wonderful person and everyone loved her because she is just so gentle and kind-hearted and gives herself to oncology all the time.”