By CASEY NEILL
Don’s still smiling in the face of adversity…
EVEN cancer can’t wipe the trademark smile from Don Cameron’s face.
The Cornerstone Contact Centre co-ordinator’s positivity didn’t waver as he described how fast-spreading cancers were attacking his liver, lungs, pelvis, bowel and gall bladder.
Doctors told the 45-year-old he might not live to see May, but supporting the community remains his focus.
“A few weeks ago I was at the gym and I was working out and I was a little bit slow,” he said.
“Then I sneezed in church and it felt like my chest exploded.”
A heart condition was Don’s first fear but tests found something far worse. He felt like he was dying and could barely stand or breathe.
“It literally feels like I’m holding a spare tyre,” he said.
Doctors said treatment would have little impact on the tumours so Don decided against it and is feeling remarkably well.
“I’m meant to be really sick but I’m not,” he said.
Breaking the news to his Cornerstone family has been the hardest part, Don said.
“A lot of people here suffer from anxiety and depression. I’ve been a bit gutless in putting it on Facebook so everybody knows,” he said.
“Heaps of people have been bringing food over. I’m jokingly saying I’ll have to invite my friends over to eat all the food.”
He discovered Cornerstone in 1991 as a “brand new Christian” before it even opened its doors.
“I worked next door at the taxation office. During my lunch break I’d come in here and drill a few holes in things – I’m not a handyman at all, they just told me what to do,” he said.
“In May 1992 we opened the doors with about 30 people. Under Max Walker we grew to maybe 200 people in 2010.
“Max told me when he left that things would increase even more.
“I didn’t see that being possible, but now we’ve got over 600 volunteers.”
His focus is on ensuring those volunteers can continue their good work. He’s redirected donations towards his medical treatment to Cornerstone.
“We run at about $93,000 a year I think, total cost,” he said.
“They’re paying me sick leave. I feel guilty. I’m a drain. I’m not giving anything back.”
Don said each Cornerstone lunch cost about $300 and suggested that businesses put up the cash and use the experience for team-building.
He also appealed for volunteers with administration skills to support Pastor Michael Eggleton, his likely successor.
“You can get people to wash dishes and cook food, that’s great. But when people are filling out forms you need some very professional people you can trust to get the job done,” Don said.
“Michael came along at just the right time. He doesn’t know everything that I do but he’s got great potential.
“Every time key leaders have left in the past, Cornerstone’s got stronger.
“That gives me confidence.”
Don cut off his trademark ponytail to cheer up his wife and daughters, aged eight and 10.
“I used to have long hair and she always wanted me to cut it short,” he said.
He’s seen many people succumb to cancer as a volunteer chaplain at Dandenong Hospital.
“The threat of dying of cancer doesn’t worry me. It’s a very peaceful way to go,” he said.
“At the moment I’m just playing it by ear.
“I’m out and about. I hope that continues as long as possible.”
Barb Carlin has volunteered at Cornerstone for the past 17 years.
“They’re all devastated. He’s done a lot in the community. He’s one of them,” she said.
But she’s confident the centre has a strong future.
“Life goes on and Don would like to see that happen,” she said.
