Two decades of cancer support recognised
18 April 2019
Central Gippsland Health (CGH) is being recognised for its long term commitment to supporting its community through cancer.
The health service will be presented with a plaque on 1 May 2019, commemorating its 20 year involvement with the Look Good Feel Better (LGFB) program.
CGH Director of Nursing, Mandy Pusmucans, and Manager Workforce Development, Janelle Stewart, will accept the plaque on behalf of CGH.
“CGH is so proud to have supported such a worthwhile program over two decades,” Mrs Pusmucans said. “LGFB receives no government funding, so it is the generosity of the community that has allowed the service to be provided to our cancer patients free-of-charge.”
LGFB is a national community service program run by the Cancer Patients Foundation, dedicated to teaching cancer patients how to manage the appearance-related side-effects caused by cancer treatment. Victorian LGFB Program Manager, Faye Venning said women, men and teenagers participated in a practical workshop which covered skincare, make-up and headwear demonstrations, leaving them “empowered and ready to face their cancer diagnosis with confidence”.
“Look Good Feel Better workshops are open to anyone undergoing treatment for any sort of cancer,” Ms Venning explained. “In Australia, more than 130,000 people have participated in the program, which now offers 1,000 workshops in 180 venues nationwide.”
The program relies heavily on a team of 1,300 trained volunteers who help deliver the workshops across the country.
Each participant receives a Confidence Kit containing skincare and make-up products donated by the cosmetic industry to use as tools for application throughout the workshop and for continued use in their own homes.
“We have been privileged to have had the support of CGH for such a long period of time,” Ms Venning said. “The benefits of the program go far beyond the physical and CGH, together with LGFB, have developed strong links within the cancer community as a result.
During the workshops, friendships and additional support networks are formed that can help during diagnosis and treatment.”
Registrations to attend the workshops are essential and can be done via the LGFB website at www.LGFB.org.au
Ms Venning will present CGH with its 20 year service plaque at a special presentation on 1 May from 11am at the Lecture Hall, Sale Hospital.
For more information, contact Tracy VanderZalm of Wordwise Communications on 0447 491 345 or tracyvanderzalm@outlook.com