Wellbeing day a chance to connect

A FREE well-being day that’s aiming to support women dealing with cancer is coming to Bendigo later this month.

The event is set for Thursday 22 June and is open to all women living with cancer and will involve the chance to try a musical therapy exercise known as Qi Qong, hear from Bendigo Health oncologists, and chat with other women living with the disease.

Bendigo resident Sheryl Taylor was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in 2021 and said she was looking forward to the event.

“I’m keen to connect with others because when I moved up here and was diagnosed with stage four, I was quite surprised there was no support group,” she said.

“I think it is important to have an opportunity to connect. If people don’t need it or don’t want it, that’s fine, but just in my experience with early breast cancer and that ticking over to metastatic it really does help to talk with others.

“These sorts of days provide that opportunity to share and connect.”

The day is being run by Women’s Health Victoria partner Counterpart and Bendigo Health.

Counterpart manager Cindy Van Rooy said the service aims to provide support to women in isolated situations.

“Our service provides peer support and information to many women with cancer who are living in regional areas,” she said.

“We know many find it harder to access services and are more likely to feel isolated.

“That’s why we are so appreciative to have the support of the Victorian Government which provided funding for us to run four well-being days in regional areas.

“We are pleased to be partnering with Bendigo Health to run the first of these special events.”

The Bendigo wellbeing day is free to attend for all women who have had any type of cancer as well as their family, friends, and partners.

Booking can be made at counterpart.org.au or by calling 1300 781 500.