Derry Foyle Hospice volunteer shares moving story of loss and hope to inspire others

A Prehen woman, who is living with incurable cancer, has turned personal loss and her own cancer diagnosis into a mission to give back to Foyle Hospice.

Not long after her sister Sarah’s death, Theresa Kelly received the same diagnosis herself.

Now living with secondary breast cancer, she has turned her personal loss into a powerful motivation to support the hospice through volunteering and raising awareness of incurable cancer.

Theresa has been volunteering with Foyle Hospice for more than three years and is now urging others to do the same.

While Theresa’s cancer is treatable, it is not curable – a reality she says has shaped her outlook and strengthened her determination to give back.

Theresa explained: “My involvement with the hospice began when my sister was under their care,” she said. “Before that, I hadn’t had much experience of hospice services, but once we saw the care Sarah received, and how they supported us as a family, I knew I wanted to give something back.”

Theresa’s volunteering began simply with baking cakes for a coffee morning – something she enjoys – before becoming more involved in supporting fundraising events, selling raffle tickets, and including helping prepare seasonal hampers.

“I love baking and feeding people,” she said. “But I quickly realised volunteering was about much more than that. It really makes me feel so humbled listening to others’ experiences and it has been one of the most meaningful parts of volunteering. People come up to buy a raffle ticket and they just want to talk.

“It’s taught me how important it is to take time for people. It’s not just about raising money; it’s all about human connection.

“It has helped me to speak about myself and my own experience,” she said. “But it also gives me a huge sense of satisfaction knowing that the small part I play helps the hospice carry on.

“Everybody knows the hospice needs funds, and if I can help in any small way, then that is my thank you to them for how they cared, not just for Sarah, but for all of us.”

According to Theresa, she had no hesitation about volunteering after getting to know the hospice team during her sister’s care.

“Having met so many of the staff, I knew what a fantastic organisation it was and that I would feel comfortable working with them,” she said. “I had no worries at all – I just knew it was going to be a good experience.”

Theresa stressed how easy it is to sign up as a volunteer, describing it as a ‘straightforward’ process.

She explained: “You look at the volunteering opportunities available and see where you think you’ll fit. Everyone has different skills and different things they enjoy – whether that’s working in the shops, gardening, fundraising or helping at events. There is also a short induction but it is nothing to worry about.”

Theresa also wants to reassure anyone considering volunteering that there is no pressure or commitment.

“People think they’ll be expected to volunteer every week or every fortnight, but that’s not how it works” she said. “You tell the hospice what you can do. If you’re working or have other commitments, there’s no obligation to do more than you can. You’re asked if you can help, and you say yes or no. There’s no judgement.”

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Looking to the future, Theresa says she finds comfort in knowing the hospice will be there when she needs it.

“I don’t know when that will be,” she said. “I don’t have a prognosis and I’m hoping it’s in the distant future, not the near future. But knowing the hospice will be there gives me great comfort — especially knowing they will be there for my family.”

Theresa says she would wholeheartedly recommend volunteering with Foyle Hospice.

“It has given me back so much,” she said. “It’s an amazing place and not one to be feared. Volunteering is my way of saying thank you — not just to the doctors and nurses, but to everyone who makes the hospice run, from the cooks and cleaners to the admin and fundraising staff.

“They made everything so much easier for my sister and for us. It was like having a safety net under us, with someone always at the end of the phone.

“Saying thank you to Foyle Hospice doesn’t even touch the sides,” she added. “But if I can do even the tiniest bit to give something back, then that makes me feel good.”