The impact of pro bono advice: Linda’s story

After Linda and her husband both stopped working while she underwent cancer treatment, Linda came across the Pro Bono Program when reading Cancer Council’s information resources during a treatment session. After learning about the legal and financial support available, Linda called Cancer Council’s 13 11 20 Information and Support Line to request support and was shortly after connected with a lawyer and financial planner through our Pro Bono Program who would assist her and her husband on a free basis.  

Michael Bayley, Executive Advisor at Viridian Advisory, alongside his colleague and Client Services Manager, Nerissa Johnston, provided Linda and her husband advice around their superannuation and Centrelink payments, helping to secure and maximise alternate sources of income in light of their reduced income. Linda was also connected with Katherine Blood, Solicitor at Perspective Law, who assisted her to prepare a Will and appoint an Enduring Power of Attorney. 

After receiving this support, Linda reflected;  

it was a very positive experience; Michael, and Nerissa, as well as the lawyer, Katherine, were very professional, they worked around my treatment plan to provide assistance in a timely manner. They lifted a great burden off our shoulders and allowed us to focus on more joyful times“.

For Michael, financial planning is about “peace of mind both now and in the future.” He let us know that for him it’s also about “dealing with challenges that affect what you were originally aiming for in your plan A… I am so happy that we could assist and help [Linda and her husband] to develop their plan B.”  

Speaking to why he first joined the Pro Bono Program, Michael explains this was for many reasons, but like so many of us, primarily due to his personal connections to cancer and wanting to give back to the community he lives and works in.  

Katherine also shared Perspective Law is “proud to be part of the opportunities provided by the Cancer Council Pro Bono Program. It is such a pleasure to be able to help those who are going through such a difficult time in their lives.”  

We are grateful to partner with so many generous organisations across the country, including Viridian Advisory and Perspective Law, who change the lives of people like Linda, reducing their legal and financial burdens and allowing them to focus on their health, family and happier times.