The Annual REA Excellence Awards are arguably Australia’s biggest and best recognition and celebration of those who support every aspect of real estate.
From the many entrants, one of Place Bulimba’s very own agents has made their mark. Carla Haddan has been nominated as a finalist in the Contribution to Community category, thanks to her extensive philanthropy work, stemming from her own touching story.
In 2005, Carla lost her best friend Helen Hackett to breast cancer. At just 31 years of age, Helen left behind three young children. Establishing the Helen Hackett Foundation, Carla and her friends staged hugely successful events, raising $525,000 for the purchase of vital digital mammography units for Brisbane’s Wesley Hospital.
In July of 2013, Carla’s world was rocked by a cancer diagnosis of her own - advanced Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. With a five-year old son to care for and 12 months of chemo and radiotherapy ahead, Carla remained strong in the most difficult of times.
With her hair falling out within a month of her first chemo treatment, Carla decided to remove what was left of her hair, start a Go Fund Me page and raise funds for Mummy’s Wish, a charity which helps mums with young children during their cancer journey. Mummy’s Wish had come to Carla’s aid with high quality wigs and a teddy bear for her son Billy. As a means of giving back, and with the support of her generous army of family, friends, colleagues and strangers, Carla raised over $22,000 in two weeks.
Today, Carla has been in remission for three years and we couldn’t be happier for her, or prouder of everything she’s achieved. As a Mummy’s Wish Ambassador, Carla has continued to create unforgettable events, raising over $220,000 to date.
“When you have so much goodness in your life you have to give back. That’s what I was taught. Take nothing for granted. Life can change in a heartbeat.
“No matter how small or big the contribution, it all counts. Life Is so much better and fuller when you pay it forward.”
Along with these life-changing experiences, Carla makes every effort to give back to the community wherever she can. From purchasing gifts for vulnerable children during Christmas appeals, to her on-going support of the first ever Morningside Panthers Womens’ AFL team.
Carla Haddan is setting a new benchmark for what it means to be a real estate agent in Brisbane and Place Bulimba is proud to have her among their ranks. There is no better reminder of the importance of giving back to the communities which we serve, congratulations Carla!