Support secured for cancer program

BENDIGO Health’s cancer wellness program has gained funding to potentially expand its range of services.

McKean McGregor’s 2022 Gala Ball, held in June after multiple postponements, raised more than $140,000 for the cancer program, which relies entirely on philanthropic support.

Clinical director of cancer services at Bendigo Health, Rob Blume, said the money could be used to fill in gaps around wellness identified by cancer patients, such as wellness for family members and bereavement.

“Wellness is physical and emotional and mental; a diagnosis of cancer has an impact on the individual and the family,” he said.

“People were asking for some potential to improve emotional wellbeing, there’s already existing things in the community so we don’t want to duplicate, but we want to look at the gaps and structure something to [fill] those gaps.

“We’ve got the finances secured for the next couple of years to go back to planning and see how we can address some of those needs without duplication.”

Sales and marketing manager at McKean McGregor, Brock Pinner, said supporting the cancer wellness program was an easy decision.

“We found it was a really worthwhile cause and the catalyst was that there’s no government support, it’s effectively run off the support of community fundraising activities,” he said.

“With a connection through Dry July and understanding what the program had been delivering, it was an easy decision for us to support the program.

“We see the work that team do here and it’s just amazing how much they improve the quality of life for people going through cancer treatment.

“It’s an amazing service, one we want to play an active role in ensuring it continues.”

The cancer wellness program currently provides services for recovering cancer patients, including reflexology, yoga, and oncology massage.