A new program at Bloomhill Cancer Care is helping young people with cancer, aged 18 to 50.
The program offers a support group, a free exercise assessment and weekly gym session, a special art therapy group and some cooking classes.
“We are so very excited to be offering the Young People with Cancer and their Partners Program – and plan to help many families on the Sunshine Coast with tailored support,” Bloomhill Cancer Care Clinical Services Manager, Trish Wilson said.
“Diagnosis of cancer at any stage of life can be a great shock and presents a range of challenges, however being diagnosed with cancer when you are a young person with so much living to do and often a young family who rely on you, adds a whole other layer of complications, fears and worries.”
Thanks to a $31,500 donation from IGA Marketplace Wises Road’s charitable foundation, the pilot program will run for three years.
“The program has been welcomed by existing Bloomhill clients, but we are also opening it to the wider community,” Ms Wilson said.
“If you have been diagnosed with cancer and are aged between the ages 18 and 50 and are not yet part of the Bloomhill family, please reach out to us. Our beautiful wellness centre at Buderim is here for you.
“Our practitioners running these sessions are highly experienced in helping support people going through cancer. Our clients are treated with dignity and respect, and many find our service life-changing.”
IGA Marketplace Wises Road’s charitable foundation makes philanthropic contributions to help children and their families in rural and regional areas.
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“As a cancer survivor myself I know firsthand the many challenges people face in this situation,” IGA Marketplace Wises Road owner Brad Hopper said.
“Supporting Bloomhill’s programs is an easy choice as they have a strong reputation for providing empowering support for cancer patients and their families.”
Cancer in people under 50 years of age
- Just under 20% of cancers in Australia occur in people under 50 years of age
- Bowel cancer is on the rise in this age group with an increase of 9% in people under 50 in the last 30 years
- Some of the common cancers in this age group are: Leukaemia and lymphoma, melanoma, brain tumours, breast cancer and thyroid cancer
- Over 800 women between 20 and 39 are diagnosed annually with breast cancer
