Danielle Meddemmen
3 November 2022: The University of Canberra’s Cancer Wellness Clinic can now serve even more patients with ease, thanks to a generous donation from the Capital Chemist Group.
The group will donate $45,000 across three years, which will see the first consultation cost waived for up to 250 patients per annum.
The consult, available to cancer patients at any stage after diagnosis, is the first step in developing a holistic allied health treatment plan aimed at mitigating treatment-related side effects.
“Being able to offer the first consultation free is an incentive to get more people through the doors of the clinic, and started on a supportive care plan that can really make a difference,” said Exercise Physiology Clinical Supervisor Melanie Moore.
“We know now, more than ever, that healthcare affordability is a challenge, so being able to help support patients with a donation of this magnitude is incredible.”
The health plans are integral in offering cancer patients support in the areas of nutrition, exercise and mental health.
Cassandra Bennett, 42, was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2018 after suffering from bad headaches and visiting her GP.
She moved to Canberra in 2020 and after hearing about the work at the UC Cancer Wellness Clinic, recently had her sponsored first consult.
She said being able to access this type of service was essential for cancer patients, so they can take control of their health.
“When you receive a diagnosis like this, your treatment can feel like it’s out of your control,” she said.
“This type of wellness plan can help patients take back some ownership of their treatment, and that is a key element of survivorship.”
Samantha Kourtis, Pharmacist and owner of Capital Chemist Charnwood said she was proud to be supporting the clinic, that offered unique and effective treatment to cancer patients.
“As community pharmacists, we feel the heartbeat of our community, we experience it every day – everyone has been touched by cancer,” she said.
“We see many patients during and after cancer treatment, and we see the challenges and struggles they face, so helping to fund a program that offers nutrition, exercise and mental health support is so important.”
