From cancer breakthroughs to surviving years of abuse, four pioneering Maitland women who have made a difference to the lives of the less fortunate, have been nominated for a prestigious Hunter award.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Gyan Gaiter, Carmel Kaczmar, Debbie Massie and Nikki Verrils have been nominated for the annual Lifeline Steel Magnolia Award.
The four will learn if they have become finalists at a gala dinner at Newcastle City Hall later this month.
Each of the women have contributed in their own special way to making a difference in the lives of thousands of Hunter people, either through funding raising, helping those in need or medical breakthroughs.
Ms Verrils is a cancer biologist at the University of Newcastle and Hunter Medical Research Institute. Her recent work has identified a new class of drugs that shows great promise for cancer treatment. She has won numerous awards including a National Health and Medical Research Council Fellowship and HMRI Award for Early Career Researchers resulting in her own laboratory investigating the molecular causes of cancer and novel treatment therapies.
Ms Gaiter is the chair of Maitland Relay for Life committee and a tireless fundraiser. She has a family history of breast and ovarian cancer. At 23, she was the first tested in her family for the panel of BRCA genetic faults. At 25 she chose to eliminate her breast cancer risk by having double mastectomy.
Ms Kaczmar has been battling her own illness while running a business and setting up a charity. In 2011 she set up Assistance Dogs NSW, a not for profit organisation that raises funds to train assistance dogs. She is a survivor of abuse and suffers Bipolar Disorder.
Ms Massie is the Medical Services Manager at Awabakal. She has developed a new model of care for patients with chronic disease called Kit Smart. She suffers rheumatoid arthritis and cares for her terminally ill husband.
Six finalists and then a winner will be determined by an independent judging panel and announced at the dinner on July 29. Journalist, author, mental health advocate and Channel 10 presenter Jessica Rowe AM will be guest speaker.
People attending will be supporting Lifeline’s local lifesaving crisis support and suicide prevention services. Tickets are on sale by phoning 4940 2000 or email emma@lifelinehunter.org.au.
