A cancer diagnosis can turn someone’s life upside down.
That’s why a group of volunteers, known as navigators, have been lending a hand across St George and the Sutherland Shire.
The volunteer navigators have been supporting people one-to-one across the region who find themselves alone, or without the support they need, when their world has been turned upside down by a diagnosis.
That includes helping with challenges like paperwork, organising medication to be delivered, organising transport to get to appointments, and co-ordinating and changing appointments.
The CanCare Navigator Program was launched in late 2016 and has now been running for over a year – helping more than 30 people in its first 12 months.
Volunteer navigator Heather Cameron said as well as support she was happy to be a shoulder to laugh or cry on, an ear to listen without judgment, and a comforting presence when the future was unknown.
“For half an hour, I can take people away from what they’re dealing with. They can tell me anything, their worries or fears, cry or laugh and be happy,” she said.
The CanCare Navigator Program is managed by the Prostate and Breast Cancer Foundation.
- CanCare navigators are available free for people over 18 in St George or the Sutherland Shire who have any type of cancer.
- If you or someone you know has cancer and would benefit from the additional support provided by a navigator, please contact CanCare on (02) 8058 9060 or visit www.cancare.org.au.
