Cancer kind- Kirsty Vondeling is raising money for the Leukaemia Foundation in memory of her

By Kelly Yates
KIRSTY Vondeling is honouring her late grandmother by volunteering and raising money for the Leukaemia Foundation.
The 20-year-old from Cranbourne spoke of her family’s shock when her grandmother, Maria Banen, died in August last year at the age of 79.
She was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, 10 years after battling breast cancer.
Ms Vondeling is organising a trivia night fundraiser at the Fountain Gate Hotel on Friday 20 August and hopes to not only raise money but also awareness about multiple myeloma.
“My grandmother was heavily involved with community work. She was part of a group in Cranbourne who knitted clothes for third world countries,” she said.
“I really looked up to her. And helping raise some much needed money is a way I can give something back.”
Ms Vondeling and her family took part in Light the Night last year, where teams light balloons to remember, celebrate and give hope to patients and families affected by blood cancers and disorders.
“Doing Light the Night helped my family get through the hard times after my grandma died,” she said. “It was an emotional time for us. We ended up collecting $1500.”
Ms Vondeling says she wants to raise $3000 this year.
The trivia night will be hosted by a former AFL footballer Doug Hawkins and includes door prizes, raffles and games, charity auctions, memorabilia auctions and silent auctions.
The fundraiser runs from 7.30pm. Cost is $25 per person.
For bookings, call Kirsty Vondeling on 0413 658 1161 or to donate, visit http://my.leukaemiafoundation.org.au/mariabanen