'I've got more out of volunteering than I've given. I've made lifelong friends'

Irish Cancer Society volunteer Brenda Convoy says losing her sister to cancer and battling the disease herself inspired her to help others on their cancer journeys

Brenda Convoy has for 20 years volunteered in the Irish Cancer Society’s shop just eight minutes down the road from her home. Photo: Moya Nolan

Brenda Convoy and her younger sister, Maura, were known as the chemo sisters.

“Maura had breast cancer, it was more aggressive than mine,” says mother-of-five Convoy who was diagnosed with double breast cancer in 2003. “Maura was my baby sister. I was extremely close to her,” says the 74-year-old who has six “gorgeous” grandchildren.