THE Shoalhaven Cancer Care Centre, because it’s a beacon of hope and friendship, is being used as the example to follow.
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The Cancer Council, in its newly announced campaign, is using the centre because it’s a place where strong relationship can be built.
Cancer Council NSW launched its new campaign called ‘Every Cancer Story’ recently at the Shoalhaven Cancer Care Centre to raise awareness of the support services available across NSW and demonstrate the impact these services have on local communities.
Cancer Council’s Community Engagement Manager Grant Plecas said including the Shoalhaven Cancer Care Centre just made sense.
“It’s showing one of our best assets,” he said.
One the stories features Tathra resident, Janet Howe, who made the most of Shoalhaven Cancer Care Centre
When Janet was diagnosed with breast cancer, she faced a daily four hour drive to radiotherapy treatment in Nowra.
Thanks to Cancer Council NSW and the Shoalhaven Cancer Care Centre, Janet was able to stay in Nowra during her treatment.
As long-standing donors to Cancer Council NSW, Janet and her husband, Peter, had a basic understanding of the work the organisation did in their region, but they were not aware of all the support and information available.
That all changed when Janet was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Janet’s husband, Peter, was worried about the negative effects the lengthy travel could have on her health.
“Just to get in a car and drive for four hours every day, return home and then wake up the next morning and drive back, it would have been terrible. It couldn’t have been good for her health,” Paul said.
As the couple considered their options and how best to cope with the demands of treatment, they were told about the Shoalhaven Cancer Care Centre in Nowra, a purpose built facility for cancer patients and their carers.
“The burden of wondering where you’re going to stay, how you’re going to pay for it and the Cancer Council NSW helps to take that worry away,” Janet said.
“That was a revelation to me, that Cancer Council NSW didn’t just do research, didn’t just hand out brochures, weren’t just on the end of the phone, but they actually gave real practical support for people who are going through that really tough time.”
The centre offered a home away from home, which meant that Janet was able to have treatment without the additional worry and expense of long and uncomfortable car journeys.
“I felt supported, I felt blessed and I felt that I was lucky,” Janet said.
Jarrod Flynn, Practical Support Coordinator at Cancer Council NSW’s Southern NSW region, sees the incredible impact Cancer Council NSW has on a patient’s everyday life.
“From considering the prospect of having to either travel hours a day or pay for accommodation on top of what they’re already going through, to that burden being completely lifted, the difference having access to our programs and services is huge,” he said.
“Patients can focus on their treatment and getting better and not have to worry about those other things we often don’t even think about until we’re faced with it.”
To read more about Janet’s story, visit www.cancercouncil.com.au/every-cancer-story
To find out more about local services in your area, call Cancer Council’s 13 11 20 Information and Support Service
About the program
Cancer Council NSW is launching a new campaign called ‘Every Cancer Story’ to raise awareness of the support services available across NSW and demonstrate the impact these services have on local communities.
Cancer Council NSW is committed to reducing the burden of cancer for people in the NSW community, regardless of location.
The ‘Every Cancer Story’ campaign focuses on seven regional stories featuring real people who have been affected by cancer. It highlights their experiences with Cancer Council NSW’s support services such as our Accommodation Services and Cancer Council Information & Support (CCIS).
A Cancer Council Information Service (CCIS) is provided within treatment centres across NSW, offering an opportunity for cancer patients, carers, their friends and family to be provided with information on cancer and a range of support services.
Cancer Council NSW’s Accommodation Services helps to find suitable and affordable accommodation for cancer patients, their families and carers travelling from regional and remote areas to cities and regional hubs for treatment.
For those living in regional and rural areas the distances travelled to treatment centres can be particularly problematic. Approximately 250 people use our transport services in the area every year, with our transport to treatment covering approx. 45,000km in the last 12 months. Roughly 110 patients access the Shoalhaven Cancer Care Centre every year, with an average stay of two weeks. Our Cancer Council Information Centre has had over 2500 visitors to the info centre in the last year.
Cancer Council NSW has a strong regional presence in communities across the state, with staff and volunteers working with the local community to provide vital cancer support and prevention programs, and advocate on state and local issues.
Cancer Council NSW is committed to providing information and support services to cancer patients, their carers and families in the South Coast area and surrounding communities.
Cancer Council NSW’s on ground support and regional network is vital to ensuring everyone affected by cancer in NSW has access to information and support services in their local community.