In November 2003, The Cancer Support Foundation of Milton Ulladulla Inc. was formed to raise funds to build and equip a cancer service centre adjacent to Milton Ulladulla Hospital to meet the growing needs of cancer patients, their families and carers in the Southern Shoalhaven. When the original cottage on the site burned down in March 2005 alternative plans were drawn up to build an entirely new centre combining the flavour of Milton's heritage streetscape with a spacious and modern treatment facility. The Cancer Services Centre was completed in 2008 and handed over to the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District to staff and manage. Important in the design of the Centre was to create a warm and welcoming environment for patients and carers, and to accommodate a broad ranging, holistic approach to the care of cancer patients and their families, addressing their psychological, social and general wellbeing beyond solely their clinical treatment. The Cancer Support Foundation plays a vital role in the organisation and/or funding of a number of services and programs to achieve that objective by:
• Funding equipment needs in the chemotherapy room and non-clinical areas of the Centre.
• Providing a wig library available to patients who have temporary hair loss.
• Providing a cancer information lending library which is available for use by the broader community and which stocks a wide range of books and leaflets on such topics as specific cancers, treatment options, wellbeing, information on carers, nutrition, grief and other issues faced by patients and family members.
• Funding the production of the Shoalhaven Cancer Services Directory, a valuable and easy reference guide to cancer related services available in the area, which is compiled by the Shoalhaven Community Cancer Network.
• Funding the Centre’s volunteers who provide essential services for the nutrition and comfort of patients on chemotherapy treatment days, and who run the Appeal’s wig library.
• Funding our partnership with Community Transport Aid, a program which provides a complimentary transport service for patients attending the Centre for treatment.
• Organising and/or funding services and support programs throughout the year, including “Back on Track” an exercise program for people who have completed their treatment; Carer Days which provide time out and services to focus on their wellbeing; grief workshops; and support goups run by the Centre’s professional staff.
• Maintenance of the building and garden areas. Cancer support groups utilise the well equipped kitchen and meeting room to hold their regular monthly meetings. The room is equipped with video conferencing facilities used for participation in meetings and education sessions being held at other sites, and for remote patient consultations with their specialists. This Cancer Support Foundation of Milton Ulladulla inc is entirely by a dedicated team of community volunteers who have been with the Appeal since its inception. They use their specialist and professional skills and personal amenities to maximise the value of every donated dollar which is invested back into funding and support for the Cancer Services Centre, its staff, volunteers, patients and carers in the southern Shoalhaven community. The foundation acknowledges its contribution to the development of local cancer services is reliant upon the generous donations provided by our community and thanks those donors for their ongoing support.
