Camille grew up in Newfoundland, the easternmost province of Canada. However, it is the sort of place not always appreciated by young people, so as soon as she finished school, she moved to Nova Scotia to study psychology. After completing a four year degree, she decided that psychology was too research-oriented, whereas she was more interested in working hands-on with people. So she switched to physiotherapy because her other option, medicine, would take so long and is difficult to get into. Once she qualified as a physiotherapist, she moved south of the border to Missouri, where they get paid twice as much. She diplomatically describes living there as a "good learning experience". She was hoping to make a dent in her student loan, but made so many trips home that after a year she moved back to Nova Scotia.

Camille continued working as a physiotherapist but eventually realised that she would rather be a doctor. Getting into medical school involves a day long exam, so Camille spent a year brushing up on physics and chemistry, but was not accepted. The same thing happened the following year, so she was happy to move to New Zealand for a year with her husband Will, who is an orthopaedic surgeon. Will came to Wellington Hospital to get specialist training in joint replacements. Camille used this opportunity to conduct medical research at the hospital, getting a grant to study how people whose joint replacements have become infected are affected by it. This initiative has sufficiently impressed the medical school back home so she will begin medical training when she returns to Canada.

Camille had looked into volunteering in Wellington before she arrived, and found the Cancer Society web site. She also had had contact with many cancer patients in her work as a physiotherapist. Her orthopaedic research was not very time-consuming, so after many years of studying and working she finally had some spare time.

Camille has been involved in several volunteer roles, beginning with the fresh daffodil phone sales for Daffodil Day, Relay for Life and some driving (once she got the hang of Wellington and driving on the other side of the road!). She says being a Cancer Services Guide has "really opened her eyes to how strong people can be when they've been diagnosed with cancer". The orientation for new patients includes talks from hospital staff, then two Guides talk about what services the Society offers, and bring the patients over to Richard Evans House. Camille feels her medical background has been an advantage because she is comfortable dealing with sick people.

Camille is back home now. She and Will had a great year here, travelling around New Zealand and meeting lots of new friends.