Ruth Edelsten: A Tireless Advocate for Kids with Cancer Auxiliary

Since formally joining Cancer In Kids @ RCH (CIKA) in 2014, Ruth Edelsten has devoted herself wholeheartedly to raising funds, awareness, and support for children fighting cancer.  A proud Bendigo resident, Ruth regularly commutes to Melbourne to attend CIKA meetings – a testament to her unwavering commitment to the cause.

Ruth’s CIKA journey began in 2010 through her involvement with the Macedon Ranges Focus Group, which has supported CIKA since 1997.  Alongside fellow members, she helped organise a bike ride from Robe, South Australia, to Ballarat, Victoria, raising $3,259.  That event sparked a passion that has never dimmed, leading to further rides and countless other fundraising initiatives.

Ruth quickly became the heart of CIKA’s Bendigo presence, bringing energy and innovation to every event she touched.  Before COVID, she hosted a wide variety of popular events, including:
• Annual Bendigo Luncheons from 2013 to 2019
• Crown Luncheons in partnership with the Focus Group
• Elegant High Teas and vibrant Fashion Parades
• Regular outdoor markets in Trentham, Kangaroo Flat, and Woodend

In 2017, Ruth’s community spirit caught the attention of her local postie, who asked if Bendigo’s postal workers could contribute to the cause. Thanks to Ruth’s coordination, the Bendigo Posties now provide ongoing support, holding monthly raffles and auctions with goods Ruth personally helps curate.

After the pandemic, Ruth seamlessly transitioned her efforts indoors, running a rotating series of stalls at Market Place and Lansell Square, as well as special Christmas events at St Mary’s Church in Bendigo. On average, she coordinates 25 stalls a year, stocked almost entirely through donations from a vast network of crafters – spanning from Melbourne to Mildura, Ballarat, Geelong, and of course, her hometown of Bendigo.

None of this would be possible without Ruth’s dedicated team of knitters, sewers, builders, and helpers. Her husband John – affectionately known as “the roadie” – is a vital part of the operation, often hands – on at major events and always there with support.

She also maintains and mentors CIKA’s enduring connection with the Macedon Ranges Focus Group that donate funds annually to CIKA. Alongside Wendy Halligan, Ruth attends monthly meetings and assembles beautiful hampers and goods for the group’s Spring and Christmas luncheons.

In true Ruth fashion, her circle of friends and supporters extends far and wide. Two families touched by cancer were moved to make significant donations in honour of her work – contributions that enabled CIKA to purchase two large freezers for the Biobank, an invaluable resource in cancer research. Inspired by Ruth’s dedication to raising funds so CIKA could fund research to improve the outcomes of children with cancer, two Bendigo artists annually hold successful Open Studio days.

Ruth is also an essential member of the Melbourne based sub-committee that plans and manages CIKA’s major presence at the annualWood Days event in Heywood. She recruits volunteers and helps organise this major fundraising weekend with the same diligence and warmth that defines all her work.

But perhaps Ruth’s greatest gift is not what she does, but how she does it – with kindness, humility, and deep appreciation for every volunteer and supporter who walks beside her. She understands that lasting change is built on relationships, and she invests in those connections with care. Ruth Edelsten is more than a volunteer. She is a driving force, a generous spirit, and a beloved ambassador not just for CIKA, but for the Royal Children’s Hospital. Her legacy is one of hope, heart, and humanity – and her work continues to inspire all who know her.