Our Staff

General Manager

Helen Crew

Helen joined Childhood Cancer Support as General Manager in March 2016, bringing over 30 years of rich experience within the charitable and community services sector. Her career has been driven by a deep commitment to supporting vulnerable populations, and she feels privileged to lead Childhood Cancer Support in providing critical aid to paediatric oncology families.

With a diverse background, Helen began her career in the construction, security, and engineering industries, where she notably contributed to the redevelopment and refurbishment of Daydream Island. Transitioning to the non-profit sector, she excelled in establishing professional administrative frameworks, policies, procedures, and human resources systems across multiple organisations. Her multifaceted expertise spans finance, governance, human resources, grant writing, fundraising, event management, and operations. Helen dedicated 13 years to the Australian Spinal Research Foundation, where she made significant contributions in administration, research grant funding, finance, operations, and conference management.

Helen’s leadership was further recognised during her tenure as Chief Executive Officer of Parkinson’s Queensland. In this role, she secured multi-year funding from federal and state governments, led a successful national rebranding initiative, expanded the support group network across Queensland by 40%, and streamlined organisational processes.

Her proficiency in operational and performance management within the not-for-profit sector enables her to collaborate effectively with Boards, community groups, and colleagues to enhance operational systems, governance, IT, human resources, finance, and service delivery. At Childhood Cancer Support, Helen has been instrumental in reviewing the organisation’s Constitution, policies, and facilities management while overseeing human resources, governance and change management initiatives. Her dedication and strategic focus have secured over $2.1 million in grant funding, which has enhanced accommodation facilities, patient transport services and introduced vital mental health and counselling services for families.

In 2023, Helen’s commitment and impact were nationally recognised by her Fundraising Institute Australia peers, with awards for Impact on a Shoestring and Most Outstanding Fundraising Project for Childhood Cancer Support’s Feels Like Home Grants Program.

Family Support Services

Accommodation and Support Services Officer

Trish Smyth

Trish joined Childhood Cancer Support in June 2022 and feels privileged to become a recent member of the team. As Accommodation and Support Services Officer she will be working in a part-time capacity providing all accommodation and non-clinical support services to our paediatric oncology families.

Trish has previously worked at the Ronald McDonald House Charities for nearly 7 years as a Family Experience Worker. She is passionate about supporting paediatric oncology families in her new position and looking forward to helping and supporting them on their difficult journey.

Trish moved to Australia with her family 18 years ago. She has worked in the corporate world in Australia, England and Ireland for most of her working life. Trish has a broad working knowledge including Fundraising (Event Management & Operations), Personal Assistant, Administration, Accounts, Office Management, Banking Systems, Human Resources. She is also a Feng Shui Consultant.

She is very excited to be a part of the wonderful staff and volunteer team at Childhood Cancer Support and is looking forward to supporting families in a supportive and nurturing home environment.

Community Fundraising Specialist

Pat Hooper

Pat commenced with Childhood Cancer Support in June 2019 as our Community Fundraising & Events Officer. Pat’s main responsibility is to create and execute a community fundraising strategy aimed to increase revenue whilst expanding the profile of Childhood Cancer Support within the community.

Pat will be looking to recruit, engage and maintain relationships with community fundraisers to ensure they are supported throughout their fundraising activities. As well as being responsible for all aspects of event coordination from the initial inception and scoping, through to delivery, of our signature events.

Pat comes to Childhood Cancer Support with over 18 years’ experience as a community fundraiser previously working with the Leukaemia Foundation for 14 years and the Endeavour Foundation for 4 years. During this time Pat was responsible for the roll out of large scale national fundraising campaigns and events at a local level most notably World’s Greatest Shave which exceeds $17 million in revenue. Pat also led a team of regional fundraising staff assisting them to reach their regional targets.

Pat started her fundraising career in Bundaberg with the Endeavour Foundation. Pat has also been a small business operator before returning to the not for profit sector with the Leukaemia Foundation in Bundaberg, later transferring to Brisbane in 2011.

Pat is excited about sharing her knowledge of the not for profit fundraising with Childhood Cancer Support and would love to speak with anyone interested in supporting this amazing family charity.

Administration & Finance Officer

Melissa Young

Melissa joined the Childhood Cancer Support team in October 2022 as our Administration and Finance Officer. Prior to commencing this role Melissa had been a volunteer with Childhood Cancer Support, as a member of the housekeeping team, since February 2021. She thoroughly enjoyed regularly volunteering her time to help make our family’s stays as comfortable and welcoming as possible.  

In her role as the Administration and Finance Officer Melissa is responsible for maintaining the financial and administrative operations for Childhood Cancer Support. She also assists the team to ensure that our families are well supported during their stay in our short-term accommodation facility at Woolloongabba.  

Melissa comes to Childhood Cancer Support after spending over 16 years in the corporate world as a Data and Reporting Analyst, predominately working in the mining and metals industry. She is highly organised, with great attention to detail and a passion for data analytics. Melissa’s long-term career goal was to work with a not-for-profit organisation supporting families, so she feels very fortunate to have been given this opportunity. Melissa is very much looking forward to utilising her skills to assist and support the fantastic staff, volunteers and families at Childhood Cancer Support.