Experiencing an abundance of manaakitanga during her stay at Domain Lodge, Cancer Society’s accommodation in Auckland, last year inspired Thalea Tane to volunteer.
When Thalea travelled from her Hokianga whare to Auckland for reconstructive surgery following her breast cancer treatment late last year, she found herself without a place to stay (for a longer duration than was anticipated). With no immediate family nearby, a caring nurse connected her with the Cancer Society. That’s when she was welcomed into Domain Lodge, a place that quickly became more than just accommodation—it became a safe haven.
“Just the sheer wairua, or the beautiful feeling that is in that building – in the soul of the people, in the volunteers – I can’t think of a better place to have recovered. It was such a needed space for me, allowing me to recover and heal post-surgery, attend my hospital appointments, physio appointments, have family members visit, and was so close to the domain just across the road.”
Thalea says her experience at Domain Lodge resonated with her so much that she sat down with Volunteering Manager Sudha Bhana before she left and asked what she could do to help when she returned home.
“Aroha mai, aroha atu – you receive love and you return love.”
Thalea says staying at the Lodge was her first introduction to the Cancer Society and the services it offers. Now she’s committed to “shouting from the mountaintops” about what is available to whanau and friends who also find themselves on a cancer journey.
Thalea’s first volunteering efforts for the Cancer Society involved her taking on some promotions and a cheerleading role for the Kerikeri Marathon in November.
She joined Cancer Society kaimahi and whānau to form a Daffodil Cheerleading Team offering healthy snacks and support to marathon participants, while raising awareness.
Beyond the more public sharing of her story in local media interviews, Thalea says “putting her face to matepukupuku (cancer)” opened a dialogue and led to positive action within her own circles.
“A lot of people were a bit shocked when they saw my profile on the Cancer Society promotions because they didn't even know I had cancer. It created some discussions with whānau members and friends who are on that journey as well. I was able to give them some insights about what services are out there for them.”
Thalea says she had many aunties “come out of the woodwork” and share that they had been through cancer too, and this has led to her children, and nieces and nephews, getting tested and screened earlier due to their familial cancer link.
“It has created change and agency for our whanau. It’s thanks to the Cancer Society asking me initially to be interviewed and then moving on from there to promote and volunteer – it has been a series of wonderful steps with the Cancer Society which I’m forever grateful for.”
Thalea, who has taken a break from her role as a project manager for ecological restoration projects in Te Tai Tokerau (Northland), is lending her expert skills to volunteer as an Area Coordinator for Cancer Society’s Daffodil Day, coming up in August. If you live in the Mangawhai or Whangarei areas you might just get a shoulder tap from Thalea!
The Cancer Society wishes to take the opportunity this National Volunteer Week to say ngā mihi to all our awesome kaitūao or volunteers who, just like Thalea, tautoko (support) our mahi. If you’re keen to find out more about how you can get involved in volunteering with the Cancer Society head to cancer.org.nz/get-involved/volunteer/
