About Us
Meet the Team
Donna Rendell
General Manager
Born in the tiny country town of Corrigin, Donna has gone from humble beginnings to the exciting heights of launching a brand new Australian radio station, before a life changing journey brought her to The Breast Cancer Foundation of WA.
After beginning her radio career as a receptionist for 96FM, Donna worked her way to the top and within just a few years became the Director of Marketing and Promotions for Perth’s 92.9. After enjoying this role, the bright lights were calling and Donna headed to Melbourne to launch NOVA FM, which in an unprecedented move, went straight to number one in only its second survey.
Four incredibly successful years followed and then, after having been in the industry since she was 21, Donna knew the time had come to make the tough decision to stop work and do what she had always dreamed of – travel the world. She took a year long sabbatical and headed to India, a holiday that was to alter her way of thinking forever.
Doing volunteer work with under privileged children and sharing the lives of the inspirational people she met saw Donna come back to Perth with new priorities and perspectives. She decided on a career change and on finding a job that not only would be challenging and stimulating, but would also fill her heart and soul and give her a sense of pride.
Knowing she wanted to help people and lead a team with the same passion has brought Donna to The Breast Cancer Foundation of WA. Her mission is to make sure everyone in this state knows about the BCFWA and is able to benefit from the excellent support and services it provides.
“I feel extremely privileged to be working with such a passionate team who strive on a daily basis to support each person who reaches out to us for help. You can not measure the satisfaction and although some days emotions run high and it can be very difficult, the strength shown by the men, women and families who we are able to support is truly inspirational”
donna@breastcancer.org.au
Sherryl Potts
McGrath Breast Care Nurse
Sherryl brings with her over thirty years of experience in health and community care. A Registered Nurse, she has worked in the private and public sectors across Australia and overseas, in both cities, rural and remote locations, in hospitals, in the community and in the mining industry.
During this time she has come in contact with hundreds of people who have been affected by breast cancer and has cared for women at all stages of their journey, giving Sherryl a broad understanding of the many issues facing those touched by the disease. Her knowledge, understanding and experience enable her to provide individualised and quality support to women, men and families.
During the past two decades, women’s health has been a special interest of Sherryl’s with a particular focus on breast health, as her immediate family has been affected by breast cancer. Sherryl believes there’s an increasing need for community care resulting from the modern practice of very short hospital stays and early discharge.
Providing a specialised nursing service to those affected by breast cancer is at the heart of the BCFWA’s goal to give meaningful and real support to sufferers and those close to them.
“Over the years working as a nurse all around Australia, but especially after becoming a volunteer for BCFWA in 2006, I have been inspired by the courage and good humour of the women that I meet who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. The opportunity to work with people who are passionate about smoothing the path of these women and their loved ones was irresistible! It’s a privilege and a joy to be actively involved in helping make a difference right now”
nurse@breastcancer.org.au
Nerida Lovell
Support Services Coordinator
Counsellor
Nerida graduated from her studies as a Social Worker and for over a decade has worked in a variety of Government Organisations including the Disability Services Commission. Specialising in the area of adult and elderly mental health for the Health Department, Nerida also took on a position at the Lockridge Community Health Centre.
Her work in the non-government sector includes some time at the Association for Relatives and Friends of the Mentally Ill and Mission Australia, where her focus was on unemployed people who faced significant barriers to employment.
More recently Nerida has moved into Local Government, providing home services for elderly and disabled people and volunteering with Carers WA where she helped families, coordinated a counselling team and assisted the operation of a 24 hour counselling line.
Nerida has been drawn to the BCFWA because of its mission to provide personalised support and care for each person affected by breast cancer.
“I am touched by the level of dedication of the staff and volunteers and the gentle persistence of the breast cancer survivors I have met, who are exploring life on their own terms, undertaking this journey in their own way. I am surprised by the generosity many women show to those around them - including those who are going through similar yet different experiences - and their frank perspectives on life and its many opportunities and challenges.”
Diane Rae
Volunteer Coordinator
PA to Ros Worthington OAM
Diane has had a very diverse, challenging and exciting career history. She’s owned her own fashion boutique, managed two GP practices in Hong Kong and been a sales consultant for Revlon, The Sunday Telegraph and Sunday Times.
Most recently she was the Personal Assistant to the Chairman of Hancock Prospecting, on-call twenty-four hours a day and entrusted to attend to both the business and personal interests of Gina Rinehart. Whilst in this role, Diane was also Director of a number of companies and a Board Member of the Hancock Family Breast Cancer Foundation. She was instrumental in raising funds for the Foundation through organising balls and selling raffle tickets, with all the money going directly into medical research.
Diane feels her greatest achievement during this time was compiling one of Australia’s largest petitions which urged the Federal Government to increase funding and resources for breast cancer.
"I have been so very blessed in my life in so many ways with good health, happiness, family and friends that I feel if there is anything that I could possibly do to assist in some way to make somebody else’s life a little easier, would be a wonderful blessing. My favourite saying is "May you have health to spare, friends who care and love to share."
di@breastcancer.org.au
Kelly Jennings
Administration & Projects Coordinator
Kelly originally became involved with the BCFWA during a university PR placement where she helped with the organisation of the Long Table Lunch 2007.
She then went on to finish her Commerce Degree at Curtin University, with a double major in Marketing and Public Relations. Graduating with Distinction, Kelly became a Golden Key Member for being in the top ten percent of her course.
During her work experience with the Foundation, Kelly was excited by the creativity involved, particularly the clever ‘out of the box’ thinking The Breast Cancer Foundation of WA prides itself on. She jumped at the chance to join the team as Administration Officer, especially as breast cancer is an issue close to her heart. Kelly was the sole carer of her mother, who battled this disease for two years and so has a real understanding of its impact on sufferers and those that love them.
"I’m inspired by the strength of these women and how even in their time of need they think firstly of their families and how they are affected. I strongly believe in natural living and with my own family history of breast cancer, realize how important it is to be happy and healthy."
kelly@breastcancer.org.au