Author: Cancer Wellness Support

For the past 15 years, Pam Purcell has woven warmth and comfort in the form of blankets into the heart of our community through her incredible dedication as a volunteer at Cancer Wellness Support. 

Pam’s unique touch lies in the meticulous assembly of these blankets. With a team of dedicated knitters, she pieces together individual squares to create these cozy masterpieces. The magic often begins at her doorstep, as generous supplies appear, thanks  to the collective effort behind each blanket. 

The sense of reward that accompanies Pam’s efforts is immeasurable. She shares how her dining table has been transformed into a workspace for blankets, with her husband often happily opting for dinner on the couch.

Pam’s dedication is driven by the cause she serves. Cancer Wellness Support directs all proceeds from the sale of these blankets towards subsidised treatments for local people living with cancer and their families. 

Pam loves the unpredictability of how each blanket will look upon completion. When asked about a particularly memorable piece, she recalls a crocheted Afghan quilt. This intricate masterpiece arrived with a touch of mystery – a 1980s edition of Woman’s Day hinting at the intentions of its creator. The original creator’s perfectionism was evident in the intricate work, even at the rug’s back. Pam discovered an abandoned section, and with care, she mended the flaw and added her finishing touches, giving the blanket new life. The result was beyond expectation, with the rug finding a new home within a mere few hours, fetching the highest selling price yet and garnering the interest of multiple eager buyers.

Walking into the Cancer Wellness Support op shops is an experience of pure joy for Pam, radiating warmth and friendliness. While visitors initially seek affordable quality clothing and treasures, they find so much more as the genuine smiles and connections shared by staff and volunteers create an atmosphere of genuine camaraderie. 

At the heart of Pam’s journey is the profound impact that Cancer Wellness Support has on the community. The organisation’s extraordinary work has kept her steadfast in her volunteer role. 

For Pam, creating a blanket is more than crafting. The knowledge that her efforts contribute to such a vital cause fuels her dedication, making every stitch a gesture of love and support.

For Natasha Trotter, Cancer Wellness Support is more than just a workplace – it’s a place where her expertise is paired with a profound desire to make a meaningful difference. 

As a physiotherapist specialising in lymphoedema, Natasha feels a unique difference at Cancer Wellness Support. Unlike traditional workplaces driven by financial gains or caseloads, it’s fueled by an authentic passion for community and genuine support. This resonates deeply with everyone who walks through its doors, creating an atmosphere that feels like home.

Natasha feels incredibly grateful for the world class equipment and resources that she has access to, particularly the SOZO machine, an asset she recognises she would likely not have access to in private practice. This best practice equipment enables Natasha to refine her skills and stay at the forefront of her field. 

The SOZO machine offers non-invasive diagnostics, a game-changer for clients. It’s also a source of motivation and progress tracking, and seeing the relief on her clients’ faces when they realise their treatments are on track is immensely satisfying. 

During the COVID lockdowns, Natasha’s reflections prompted her to broaden her perspective. Her experience in the local community revealed a stark reality – the scarcity of services and support for people living with cancer. She chose to specialise further in lymphoedema, recognising the dire need for accessible support in this area. This decision ultimately led her to Cancer Wellness Support.

Within Cancer Wellness Support’s welcoming embrace, Natasha also engages in holistic education and support. She guides clients through understanding their bodies, empowering them with actionable steps for positive change. Managing lymphoedema often involves addressing profound emotional challenges, particularly related to body image and self-confidence. Natasha offers a safe space for individuals to navigate these feelings, supported by individual counselling and group sessions that focus on grief, loss and trauma.

Natasha marvels at the transformative journey clients experience at Cancer Wellness Support. While many initially seek help for physical concerns, they quickly discover a holistic approach that encompasses social connection and support groups. She feels that they truly cater to people at every stage of their journey, from diagnosis to active treatment to palliative care and beyond.

Talking about the community spirit that thrives at Cancer Wellness Support, Natasha highlights the members’ dedication to giving back. With generosity in their hearts, they contribute quality items to the op shops, helping to subsidise treatments and programs for others in need. This ethos of reciprocity creates a self-sustaining circle, reflecting the collective determination to support each other.

Natasha knows that at the heart of this is Robyn Yates OAM’s visionary idea that has thrived for nearly two decades. Built on evidence-based research and bolstered by its resilience during the challenges of COVID, Cancer Wellness Support is a testament to the power of collective compassion and support. 

Natasha loves coming to Cancer Wellness Support as a daily reminder that a community of caring individuals can truly make a difference.

Many people do not realise that Cancer Wellness Support also extends its therapies and programs to the loved ones and carers of a person living with cancer. Wendy (member/client) and James (member/carer) have experienced this incredible support firsthand.

James, who was already acquainted with our founder Robyn Yates OAM, was the bridge that led Wendy to Cancer Wellness Support. 

On Wendy’s first visit, Robyn presented her with a giant box of wigs. Wendy found one that resonated with her – a blonde angled bob reminiscent of her childhood hair colour. The wig not only provided her with a new look but also a renewed sense of confidence. Robyn gifted Wendy the wig, a stand and shampoo, setting the tone for the compassionate care that would follow.

Robyn then asked Wendy about her favourite colours, and returned with a handmade patchwork quilt featuring the warm vibrant hues of reds and purples that Wendy loved. This rug became Wendy’s companion during her chilly chemotherapy sessions, offering both physical and emotional warmth. 

Wendy’s initial whirlwind of treatments left little room for anything else. The hospital environment was overwhelming, and Wendy couldn’t fully comprehend the gravity of her situation. As her treatment plan grew longer, she grappled with the uncertainty of her stage 2 diagnosis.

It was at this point that Wendy and James decided to further explore the offerings at Cancer Wellness Support. Group discussions, gentle exercise, dietary sessions and a supportive community became their lifeline. Here, they felt like they could share their fears and hopes.

Wendy emphasises that the impact of cancer extends far beyond the individual person. Life changes, and many things will never be the same. Her energy-draining medication post-treatment was challenging, and having James as her unwavering support was a blessing. 

Experiencing full-body lymphoedema, Wendy found relief in lymphoedema massage – a therapy often unaffordable and hard to get into elsewhere. James, who was managing his own serious health issues while supporting Wendy, found solace in counselling provided by Cancer Wellness Support. To this day, Wendy and James both enjoy attending gentle yoga sessions together, nurturing not only their bodies but also their minds.

Wendy and James have witnessed the mental challenges of many others living with cancer. They appreciate the whole person approach at Cancer Wellness Support spanning counselling, art therapy, meditation or whatever is needed at that point in time. 

Wendy and James reciprocate the love they’ve received from Cancer Wellness Support by providing musical entertainment and donating to fundraisers and op shops. Wendy, a theatre organist, and James, who plays percussion, ukulele and provides vocals, bring their talents to brighten the lives of others.

For Wendy, Cancer Wellness Support is a sanctuary where she feels safe and heard. The attentiveness of the staff, therapists and volunteers makes her feel less alone, and she values the shared experiences of the community. 

For James, Cancer Wellness Support has been a lifeline, nurturing his mental wellbeing which is often overlooked during caregiving.

Wendy and James strongly believe in the power of connection and have created lifelong friends at Cancer Wellness Support. They emphasise the importance of taking it one day at a time and surrounding yourself with people who will stand by your side through every step of the journey.