Jenny's a champion helping others

WHEN Jenny Hilcher was told she had cancer, a feeling of déja vu swept over her.

The Cancer Council and Rock Building Society are calling for people to nominate Cancer Champions such as Jenny Hilcher for an award. Picture: Megan Lewis

WHEN Jenny Hilcher was told she had cancer, a feeling of déja vu swept over her.

She lost her son, Thomas, to a brain tumour 15 years ago, and suddenly was facing the same thing.

Ms Hilcher, 54, was diagnosed with a lung carcinoma tumour in November, 2006.

But having experienced her son's death, volunteering with cancer patients and working in a medical area she said she knew what to expect.

“It was a bit of a shock and a bit like déja vu,” she said.

“I had been doing volunteer work with cancer patients and then I became one of them. But now I can honestly say now 'I know how you feel'.”

Ms Hilcher said her son, who was eight when he died, had a completely different type of cancer, a rhabdomyoma dumbbell tumour.

She said he had chemotherapy and radiation but one of the tumours was inoperable and grew into his ear and nose area.

“I'd rather have had Thomas, though, for that time than not at all,” she said.

“He taught me a lot about life and that's why I always help others. I believe the more you give the more you get back.

“Having cancer has actually been a nice journey and I've met lots of people. I find the people that have been diagnosed to be extraordinary and such a special breed.”

Ms Hilcher is just one of the many “quiet achievers” in the fight against cancer in Central Queensland.

The Cancer Council Queensland and Rock Building Society are calling for people to nominate a “cancer champion” such as Ms Hilcher for the Cancer Champions Awards.

The awards are an initiative to acknowledge those individuals, groups and businesses from across the Rockhampton region who work tirelessly in the fight against cancer and whose contributions have gone largely unrecognised.

To nominate, get a form from The Cancer Council office on Upper Dawson Road, The Rock Building Society in Bolsover Street or www.therock.com.au.

Nominations close on May 25.

Ms Hilcher will walk with other cancer survivors in the upcoming Relay For Life.

She has since been given the all clear after successful treatment and operations.

Originally published as Jenny's a champion helping others