Do People really know enough about cancer prevention and support services?

The Cancer Council NSW has launched a mobile information centre to provide people in rural and regional Australia with the opportunity to become more familiar with the work they are involved in and to provide education on cancer prevention topics such as tobacco, nutrition, sun and stressful lifestyles. It is the first of its kind in Australia.

 

The truck is accompanied by Karen an oncology nurse and a very knowledgeable public relations lady named Nella. Both ladies are absolutely passionate about educating and supporting people who would like to find out more about cancer support and related issues.

 

On their journey from Sydney to the Far North Coast, the two ladies have had an incredible amount of people visiting the truck. ‘We have seen several hundred people already. Most of them are calling in to find out what we are all about and go away with a good overview of what we do and the range and accessibility of our services’, Nella said.

 

In Newcastle, Nella was visited by a lady from the Cancer Council Helpline who believes that they were having as many face-to-face encounters as the helpline receives prevention calls each day. ‘I reckon that’s quite good considering this is our maiden voyage’, said Nella.

 

About 10% of all visitors are people who might know of The Cancer Council NSW but were not clear on the depth and breadth of the services TCCNSW have in place.

 

Nella said that they had seen a father seeking help for his young daughter not coping well with her mother’s breast cancer. He was given a guide and referred to the helpline for additional publications. Also a woman whose sister was starting chemo therapy for a brain tumor who wanted help with transport services. She received the Support Information Pack which contains vital information about emotional, financial and practical support. ‘These people were so incredibly grateful for this information’, Nella added.

 

If you are affected by cancer, know anyone who is, or you are just interested to know how to best prevent this terrible disease, then drop by and visit The Cancer Council Outreach Service here in Murwillumbah on 16^th June 2008, located at the Sunnyside Shopping Centre nearby Coles Supermarket. It will be worthwhile your time.

 

 

 

 

Further locations are:

Tweed Heads 17^th & 18^th June

Mullumbimby 19^th & 20^th June

Lismore 21^st & 22^nd June

Kyogle 25^th June

Casino 26^th & 27^th June

 

For further information on dates and locations please visit the Cancer Council website and search “outreach service” or phone Patty Delaney under 02 6615 732.

 

posted by Manni

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Need Information on Cancer, Research and Prevention- Great Opportunity as Cancer Council on Wheels is coming to your town!!

CANCER COUNCIL REACHES OUT TO THE FAR NORTH COAST

 

A new mobile cancer information service from The Cancer Council will visit The Far North Coast on its tour through NSW. Greatly supported by Coles Supermarket, it aims to bring essential cancer information services to rural and regional communities.

 

 

The Cancer Council Outreach Service is the first of its kind in Australia. It aims to assist rural and regional people overcome the barriers of location and distance to access cancer services and accurate cancer prevention information. This year Coles is donated $200,000 to The Cancer Council to help get this vital service off the ground.

 

Patty Delaney Regional Manager at The Cancer Council’s Far North Coast regional office; says the aim of the outreach service is to provide people living in rural and regional NSW with ‘hands on’ access to information about cancer and support services offered by The Cancer Council.

 

The bus also features interactive displays, quizzes and audiovisual equipment and laptops with access to our website. Through interacting with our equipment and experienced staff on board I am convinced that there is something for everyone to take home, Patty says.

 

We already offer services like the Cancer Helpline, telephone support groups and internet forums that enable people in regional and remote areas to communicate and access cancer information. But this outreach service really adds another piece to the information pie.

 

“Thanks to Coles we can work to break down those distance barriers and connect people by delivering cancer information in an interactive, physical and immediate setting,” said Patty Delaney.

 

Patty Delaney says visitors to the outreach service can chat to staff in an informal or confidential manner about any aspect of cancer and find out more about the work of the Cancer Council, including prevention campaigns, advocacy programs and research.

 

On the day visitors will have the opportunity to obtain free Cancer Council booklets, view interactive displays and use telephone and internet connectivity to access the Cancer Helpline and internet support forums.

 

John Appleby, Regional Manager for Coles in NSW says Coles is excited to help deliver the Cancer Council Outreach Service to the people of NSW.

 

“We’re extremely proud to be a part of this Australia-first initiative. It’s a great way to work with the Cancer Council to help inform people living in regional and rural areas about cancer, and to help build a Cancer Smart society,” said John

 

Coles support for the outreach service is part of a long-standing partnership between Coles and the Cancer Council, which includes contributions to Daffodil Day and other initiatives.

 

Local residents are encouraged to visit the Cancer Council Outreach Service which will be located near the Town Centre of the towns of Ballina, Byron Bay, Mullumbimby, Murwillumbah, Lismore Kyogle, Casino and Tweed Heads. For More Info  please contact our Far North Coast regional office on: 02 6627 0300

 Towns & Dates:

Ballina – 5th & 6th June

Byron – 7th & 8th June

Murwillumbah - 16th June

Tweed Heads 17th & 18th June

Mullumbimby – 19th & 20th June

Limosre – 21st & 22nd June

Kyogle – 25th

casino – 26th & 27th

MEDIA CONTACT: Patty Delaney 02 6615 732