Kat
“In early December 2018, at the age of 40, I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Some seriously aggressive chemotherapy treatment began 10 days later and immediately had me in need of help. Having two little boys to care for, the only way to lower my load of stress was to Gather My Crew of support around me pronto. Having heard about your website, my best friend swung into action, setting up some tasks and rallying the troops to join the Crew. She built a 65 strong army who now have lifted me up and given me the additional support I needed to get through this overwhelmingly difficult time I find myself in. They complete tasks such as shopping, cooking, child minding, cleaning. They turn up at my place for walks without me having to lift a finger. The website takes the job of organising these things (through a million text messages) out of the equation. Seriously a godsend! It has also made me feel exceptionally loved & supported. Thank-you so much for creating it. It is literally saving my life!”
Melbourne Church Group
“We have a church member who was diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer and had to have a major operation. Lots of people wanted to help so Gather My Crew has been great for putting all the tasks in. The suggested tasks were wide ranging and very helpful and it was easy to add new tasks. I sat down for an hour with her, talked about what she needed, made notes and then put it all together. Once it was all set up the family were able to look at it and add in little bits as needed which has been great, as it was too much for them earlier on. It has been very helpful to lessen the load of coordinating yet making sure that they are well looked after. The support is great – prompt and helpful”.
Helen
“Being able to use this tool has been life changing. I do not know how I could have coped over these past months without it”.
Linda
“As a support person, the hardest thing is wanting to help but being restricted by my own family and work commitments. I want to be there and be useful, but I don’t want to exhaust, harass or make things harder for her. With Gather My Crew, when I have a spare minute, I can check her calendar and commit to doing what I can, when I can. It feels great not having to burden her with my schedule amidst the juggle that comes with coordinating assistance. I love that she is in control of who she invites to join her Crew and what help she asks for. The fact that I had to wait for an invite and couldn’t just sign up makes the system more personal than other sign up sites I have used. I know that I am helping with exactly what she needs – not what someone else thinks she needs. I also love how much easier it makes her communication with her people. We all want to make the lives of our friends who are going through a hard time as easy as possible, so a system that allows that is wonderful”.
Kristine
“Great idea. As a ‘helper’ I love the periodic updates on what tasks are coming up that I have signed on for and I love that it flags tasks that haven’t yet been taken up. I would definitely recommend this as a tool for anyone in need”.
Carmel
Breast Cancer Clinical Nurse Consultant
“Gather My Crew is a brilliant service. It assists people in their greatest time of need to gain the assistance that they actually need, which is a much harder process than it seems. Many times families in need are bombarded with help (like lasagne or cupcakes) – but not the practical support they might need and most likely would not ask for. The difference Gather My Crew can make to the family needing assistance is enormous. Most people find it very difficult to ask for help and most people want to help friends and family in time of need but don’t know what to do. Gather My Crew makes a real difference”.
