By Mikayla van Loon
Cancer affects half of Australia’s population before the age of 85 and events like Japara Neighbourhood House’s Biggest Morning Tea makes a small contribution to changing those statistics.
Hosted on Wednesday 25 May, community members and staff gathered at the neighbourhood house for a spread of yummy cakes and biscuits, tea and coffee, chatter and donations.
Community engagement officer Christie Humble said cancer does not discriminate against who it affects and touches so many people’s lives.
“Cancer is something that affects everybody within our community, whether it’s personally or through loved ones, relatives, co-workers. Cancer is something that we all have to, unfortunately, experience the devastating impact of,” she said.
“Supporting the Cancer Council means that we can do something to [support] the community and to partner with the community and partner with those on the front line trying to find cures and support different people.”
Christie said something small like a morning tea is “crucial in getting the word out there” but also in allowing people to swap stories, share experiences and of course donate to the cause.
Many of the people in attendance, like Christine and Robyn from the U3A circle dancing group, said cancer has affected someone in their lives, recently with the death of a close friend and dancing member.
“It’s close to home for us, my husband has cancer. It’s always been concerning but once it’s in your life, it becomes even more concerning,” Robyn said.
“I don’t know why everyone else came but I came because I think it is important.”
Board of management president Mark Doubleday said it’s an event Japara has liked to bring to the community for many years, although with Covid there was a break for the last two.
“This is the first time we’ve been able to do this in two years and to see a group of people turn up, have a cup of tea and scones, it’s the start of what we want to do much, much more of,” he said.
“We want to connect more with the community post the pandemic lockdowns. So, this is a really good start. We have to do a lot more.”
As much as those in attendance wanted to support the Cancer Council in raising funds for research, many said they also enjoyed being able to socialise with their friends in a communal space.
This was something Mark reflected, saying this was one of the first social events, aside from International Women’s Day Japara was able to host.
“What the Cancer Council has done has combined the concept of a morning tea with recognition of cancer needs but also it’s a clever social engagement as well,” he said.
“So the two things put together makes for a really good outcome. People have a good time, they get to give a bit so the Cancer Council wins and the community wins.”
Bringing people together to socialise is something Japara will be focusing on as the neighbourhood house rebuilds after Covid-19.
“We are so open to hearing what the community wants to see happening, what programs they want, what events they want,” Christie said.
“If there’s people out there who are passionate about raising money for cancer or other causes, please get in touch because that’s part of our heart, to support the community.”
