The Sunshine Coast’s largest community-based cancer support organisation is calling for the community’s generous support to help provide essential services to those affected by the disease in the region.
With demand for its services doubling in the past seven years, Bloomhill Cancer Care is seeking $30,000 this month through the Be There for Bloomhill appeal.
The organisation assists in providing care for the 1400 clients it sees annually, with more than 800 allied health care and wellness appointments at its Buderim centre each month.
“When you spend every day at a hospital for months on end, with white walls, fluorescent lights and people who have extremely limited time to explain things or talk about things like ‘scanxiety’ and coping strategies, you realise how critical Bloomhill’s services are,” said Tiffany Nissen, a Bloomhill finance coordinator turned client herself.
“The donations we are seeking go directly to supporting new clients affected by cancer who are utilising our help on a weekly basis. Bloomhill’s average cost to provide nursing care support per client is $1454 for a year, which is roughly $125 per month.
“That’s why we ask everyone to dig deep and donate – maybe even organise a local campaign in your workplace, community or school and help make a true difference to a beloved local organisation.”
After losing both her parents to cancer and facing her own terminal diagnosis, Leanne Weyer, a stage 4 metastatic melanoma survivor, said Bloomhill offered the care and compassion she needed during her most challenging times.
Ms Weyer attended regular psychology sessions at Bloomhill, which helped her through her darkest days, and she still refers to her notes and uses the strategies shown to her when she needs to.
“For me, Bloomhill staff showed care and compassion and I took comfort in knowing that I was heard, understood, supported and encouraged through the good and challenging times,” she said.
With about 4000 people touched by cancer on the Sunshine Coast every year, the local community is being asked to donate to the Be There for Bloomhill appeal via the website or hold a fundraiser on Bloomhill’s behalf.
Supporting Bloomhill’s op shops with high-quality donations from your home or workplace is also another practical way to get involved.
Every dollar donated collectively makes a huge difference to the support Bloomhill can provide.
To find out more about the appeal and to donate click here.
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