Cancer Council Pro Bono Press - Winter 2014

If you cannot see this email please click here for the online version

Cancer Council Pro Bono e-newsletter Issue 6 - Winter 2014

Message from Sarah Penman, National Manager, Pro Bono Programs

Welcome to the Winter edition of Pro Bono Press.

We are now over halfway through the year, and what a productive first half it's been. I look forward to sharing some recent highlights and stories with you.

To mark the end of another financial year, we will kick off this issue by sharing a snapshot of pro bono assistance provided to people affected by cancer in FY 13/14. Thank you all for your ongoing commitment to the Pro Bono Programs' cause and for helping us reach more people in need of critical assistance.

For the Pro Bono team, winter not only marks the end of the financial year, but also one of the most important days of the Cancer Council year and the largest national fundraising event of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere – Daffodil Day!

The daffodil is a symbol of hope and, for Cancer Council, represents hope for a cancer-free future. Every day in Australia, around 350 people are told they have a life-threatening cancer, so there is work to do.

2013/14 financial year wrap-up

Through the generous support of our pro bono service providers, we were able to assist 1,405 clients with 1,676 matters on a pro bono basis. We estimate this is over $2.8 million worth of free advice provided to people affected by cancer.

For the statistically minded, here are some highlights:

Almost half of the pro bono clients were from NSW, but the Programs are growing in other parts of the country. Read more...

Legal Profile: Peter Crittenden and Marsdens Law Group

Peter Crittenden of Marsdens Law Group has been a lawyer for 20 years, and a partner for the last 13. Marsdens is the largest law firm in NSW with its head office outside the Sydney CBD, and has a network of offices in south-west Sydney.

Having grown up in the south-west area and clerked at Marsdens as a law student, Peter has always understood the importance of local community.

“I became a lawyer to help people, that's what I’ve always wanted to do,” Peter said.

Peter has found the community-mindedness of Marsdens has allowed him to achieve his goal of helping people, particularly those who wouldn’t otherwise have access to the legal system due to their financial circumstances. It was through Peter’s own professional network in the community that Marsdens became one of the first law firms to join the Cancer Council's Legal Referral Service.

“Our involvement came about through Peter Nonnenmacher, a local financial planner who we have worked with from time to time. Peter is the principal of Hillross Macarthur, and he had been partnering with Cancer Council for some time. He suggested that Marsdens would be a good fit to assist with the legal side of the service.”

To find out more about Peter's team and their experiences, click this link.

Ed Morrissy on the local ties that bind

Ed Morrissy of Minerva Financial Strategies has been a financial planner for 15 years and, prior to this, worked as a spray painter. Although Ed’s career has certainly shifted gears, one constant has been his connection to the Colac community, where he has lived and worked all his life.

“When we meet for Christmas lunch, we have 35 immediate family members, so my family ties in the area are strong. I like to be involved in the community, and like to give back to the community who gave so much to us,” Ed said.

Ed first heard about the Pro Bono Programs at the annual AMP conference three years ago and, knowing there was no equivalent service in Colac, was keen to get on board.

“We’re lucky to be in a position to give back and AMP promotes that kind of culture. Again, having that large family connection means you can often relate to the difficult situations people find themselves in,” Ed said.