Joan Swift - Lifetime Achievement
Joan Swift could fill a small room with her accolades.
She has been given a Queen's Service Medal for recognition of her voluntary work and made a Rotary Paul Harris fellow and an honorary Rotary life member, to name a few.
The Aucklander offers unwavering support to the Cancer Society and to the separate Look Good, Feel Better charity, which helps people diagnosed with cancer whose treatment alters their appearance.
Mrs Swift joined the Cancer Society in 1978 after experiencing the deaths of seven family members including her sister, brother and father.
She has been involved in a multitude of projects and was with the society at the inception of Daffodil Day.
Her most recent project, of which she is most proud, is the naming of the Looking Good rose - a unique cerise pink rose which raises awareness and funds for the Look Good, Feel Better charity.
"I spoke to Rob Somerfield who owns Glenavon Roses in Tauranga," she said. "He had a rose there, unnamed for two years, so he sent through an image."
"It was absolutely gorgeous - we were sold."
There is a bed of the Looking Good rose planted in Parnell's public gardens - 50 of the bushes were donated by Mr Somerfield himself.
Next year, the rose will be available for the public from Mitre 10, with a "considerable" amount of the purchase price going towards the charity.
Other proud projects include the creation of a men's Look Good, Feel Better workshop and the opening of a Cancer Society charity shop in Howick, just last week.
For her creative and tireless support of cancer-based charities, Mrs Swift has been nominated for a Pride of New Zealand Award in the Lifetime Achievement category.
"If needed, she will turn her hand to anything to help," her nominator said. "She has given a lifetime of service so others can benefit - she is a truly special volunteer."
Despite being in her 80s now, Mrs Swift said she does not have a problem with energy levels.
"They're things I want to do."
"Where there's a need for help, if I can help, I will help but the rewards at the end are amazing."
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Nominations for the 2015 awards have now closed.
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