By Vanessa Chircop
SHE maybe turning 80 but June Hansen shows no indication of slowing down.
With the maiden name Miller, June’s family is one of the oldest in Hobsons Bay.
In fact Millers Rd was named after her grandfather who owned much of the land from Brooklyn to Altona.
June, who has lived in Hobsons Bay her entire life, lives in Spotswood in the same house she moved into after she got married.
The breast cancer survivor has been a volunteer for more than 40 years and a volunteer at Footscray Hospital for 21 years.
“I love my work – my whole life has been voluntary work,” she said.
June has worked in several departments in the hospital but she now works in emergency.
As a volunteer, she moves from patient to patient assisting them where she can.
Whether she’s giving them a warm blanket, fetching them a drink or just sitting by their bed – June said she does what she can to give each patient comfort and support.
“A lot of people don’t get visitors and they’re just so thankful to have someone there.”
At 28-years-old June was diagnosed with breast cancer. She said it was “a bit of an ordeal” but she mostly remembers how well she was taken care of by her parents, husband and the hospital.
June said her experience with cancer has helped her as a volunteer to empathise with what patients in hospitals go through.
Five decades later the cancer came back but this time it was her daughter who would fight it.
June said she randomly called her daughter one day and asked her to get a mammogram.
Whether it was a mother’s intuition or just dumb luck is unknown, but her daughter’s scan revealed she had breast cancer.
“If she hadn’t had it checked when she did – two years down the track she may not have made it,” June said.
“She always says thanks mum for saving my life.”
June said as long as she is physically able she will continue her work at Footscray Hospital.
“I know one day I’ll have to think of myself,” she said. “But as long I’m able I’ll keep going.”
