Support for people with cancer and their families is provided by the Cancer Society of New Zealand from its Christchurch office in Manchester Street.
Josie Cowen, a support services staff member, and Meg Biggs, a cancer information nurse, who work from the Cancer Society office in Manchester Street, are two members of a dedicated team which provides answers for those affected by the diagnosis of cancer.
The support services staff offer regular contact for people with cancer, their families and friends.
“Our service offers care and support that complements the health care services,” Cowen says.
“Referrals come from health professionals or people can also drop in to the office or telephone us to make the initial contact.
“We support people from early diagnosis, through their treatment, and for some, we remain in contact to support them and their families through the later stages of their disease. These services are all free.
“Support is provided by health professionals.We offer emotional and practical support. We have time to listen. We recognize and respect that everyone’s needs are different.”
The Cancer Society also offers a turban service, prosthesis fittings, and Look Good Feel Better workshops.
It is also an agent for Total Mobility, a scheme that provides subsidised taxi service for people with serious mobility constraints.
Support groups and programmes are offered, including educational sessions and self-care with activities such as relaxation, nutrition and exercise. These sessions are an opportunity to meet with others who are having a similar experience.
“Our trained volunteers are a vital part of the service we offer. They offer companionship, home visits, baking, transport to medical appointments and outings,” Cowen says.
The Cancer Society Information Service is available to answer questions that people have about cancer.
The Christchurch information team is available Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5pm. It can be contacted by phoning (03) 379 5835 or 0800 226 237 (CANCER).
The team is part of the National 0800 cancer information service that is serviced from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. The Christchurch team also has an open- door policy for people in the local area to come in and talk face to face if they prefer.
“The object of the 0800 number is to make cancer information as equitable and available to people in New Zealand wherever they live,” Biggs says.
“We respond to calls about cancer prevention, screening, investigations, diagnosis, treatment, decision making, after treatment issues, survivorship, through to the late stages of disease and palliative care.
“When a cancer is diagnosed, things happen very quickly. People often find it useful to have someone outside their family or support network to talk to. We can help to clarify people’s understanding and provide information around their type of cancer, its treatments and their situation.”
The team is able to provide information through booklets, brochures, from websites (or recommend reputable websites), books from the Cancer Society library, or audiovisual material that can be mailed or sent by to individuals.
Much of the information is translated into Maori and it is planned to translate key information into other languages commonly used in New Zealand.
The Cancer Society’s Cancer Connect NZ programme arranges telephone peer support calls for people living with cancer and for caregivers. Each Cancer Connect peer supporter has had a cancer or cared for a loved one living with cancer. It is a free support service that provides a listening ear, practical information and the opportunity to talk to someone whose life has been affected by cancer.
“It is a privilege to be a part of people’s lives and we all have a passion for what we do,” Biggs says.
The Canterbury West Coast Division of the Cancer Society of NZ is located at 246 Manchester St, Christchurch, Ph (03) 379 5835. The Cancer Information Service may be contacted on Toll Free 0800 226 237 (CANCER).
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(c) 2008 Press, The; Christchurch, New Zealand. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.
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