When Terry and Marie van der Ham returned to New Zealand after retiring, they were looking for a way to stay connected and useful in their community. What they didn’t expect was that volunteering with the Cancer Society would become a family affair.
Terry, Marie and Marie’s mum Jocelyn now all volunteer on the Kāpiti Coast. Between them, they support people with cancer as drivers, receptionists, gardeners and listeners – different roles, but united by the same motivation: helping others, at moments when it matters most.
For Terry, becoming a volunteer driver felt like a practical way to give back.
“At some point in time everyone is affected by cancer – whether it’s yourself, a family member, or a good friend,” he says. That awareness, combined with seeing the work his mother‑in‑law was already doing, nudged him to put his hand up.
Now, Terry regularly drives people from Kāpiti into Wellington for treatment – round trips that can last anywhere from three to ten hours as he waits at the Cancer Society’s Newtown offices until his client is ready to head home.
Asked what he enjoys most about volunteering Terry admits: “Selfishly, it makes me feel good because you’re doing something for someone else.”
But it’s the people he meets that leave the greatest impression.
“The people you meet are always so amazingly positive. These are people who probably could afford to have a down day, but boy, I tell you what, you take a lot of courage from them.”
Marie volunteers at the Kāpiti Centre, supporting the team with admin and helping in the garden. Like Terry, she was looking for something meaningful after retiring.
“I didn’t quite know what I was going to do at first,” she says. “But I wanted to do something worthwhile and I absolutely love it.”
What has struck her most is the resilience she sees every day.
“Despite everything they’re going through, it’s amazing how positive people are.”
Jocelyn has been volunteering with the Cancer Society for eight years. A former teacher, she found herself with time on her hands after retiring and “didn’t want to waste it”.
“I realised a lot of people were a lot worse off than I was and I was lucky to be healthy enough to help ,” she says.
She helps on reception and in the garden, often spending time listening to people who are newly diagnosed.
“The bravery you witness is just incredible. You've got people who have just learned about their diagnosis and they know that it's very dire, but they are so brave. To be able to lend them an ear just for a short time, put them in the right direction. It's just been fantastic.”
One moment that has stayed with her is seeing the transformation when clients come in for a wig.
“People arrive feeling really nervous. But when they find one that suits them, they literally skip out the door. They leave as a different person – I’ll never forget that.”
Just as meaningful as the roles themselves is the support that surrounds them. All three speak warmly of the Cancer Society staff they volunteer alongside – people whose professionalism, kindness and tireless coordination make volunteering not just possible, but genuinely rewarding.
Across all three stories, a common thread is clear: while volunteering changes the lives of those receiving support, it also leaves a lasting mark on those who give it.
Ready to make a difference? Join us today! follow the link below to find out more about volunteering and register your interest.
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