News

>
>
Solaris Cancer Care launches its ‘May we Thrive’ campaign

Solaris Cancer Care launches its ‘May we Thrive’ campaign

This month, WA’s leading cancer support provider – Solaris Cancer Care – is calling on generous Western Australian’s who have been touched by cancer as it raises funds and awareness during its May we Thrive campaign.

The independently funded charity supports cancer patients and their carers to cope with the emotional and physical side-effects of diagnosis, treatment, recovery and palliative care by bringing together the best in modern medicine and evidence-based complementary therapies including massage, meditation, exercise and yoga to reduce stress and anxiety and improve depression scores.

A similar campaign in May last year raised over $300,000 and allowed Solaris Cancer Care to survive another year and provide support and treatment to thousands in need. However, the organisation is still not out of the woods and requires ongoing support and donations to continue to deliver its vital services.

“Cancer is not rare. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, around 130,000 Australians are diagnosed with cancer each year. That equates to 13,000 Western Australians each year or one every seven minutes.

“The sobering figure is that for those of us who reach 75, one in three men and one in four women will be given the bad news,” said Founder and Chairman of Solaris Cancer Care, Professor David Joske.

In 2018, Solaris Cancer Care provided more than 25,000 treatments, valued at over $1.75 million, to cancer patients, their families and their carers.

Treatments delivered by Solaris Cancer Care have been shown to reduce side effects such as pain, fatigue and nausea by 14 per cent and improve psychological scores by roughly eight per cent per session, with 100 per cent of participants indicating that they would recommend therapies to other patients according to a 2014 review. The non-profit currently receives no ongoing government funding, relying on the generosity of donations from the Western Australian community, coupled with in-kind support from 350 volunteers, believed to be one of the largest volunteer base in the State.

Three out of the organisations five centres are attached to both metropolitan and regional hospitals, including Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, St John of God Hospital, Subiaco and Albany Health Campus, allowing Solaris Cancer Care to work closely with patients’ specialists, doctors and nursing staff.

The two other centres, located at Cottesloe and Bunbury, provide an additional home away from home during and after mainstream treatment.

“We have helped our many patients and their families get through difficult times. We are now hoping the local community can help us in return with a donation that enables us to continue and widen our range of services, which we would be forever grateful,” said Dr Joske.

To make a one-off tax deductable donation visit www.solaristhrive.com.au