Supporting cancer sufferers and their families
Kevin Rudd
posted Thursday, 4 February 2010
*Release with Mark Butler
Today is World Cancer Day and the Rudd Government has announced more than $824,000 in funding for 22 projects across the nation to develop and enhance cancer support as part of the Building Cancer Support Networks Initiative.
Administered by Cancer Australia, the successful projects aim to improve support for people affected by cancer.
Cancer partners will provide further contributions of $461,000 over two years to these projects.
Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd said whether directly or through family or friends, most of us will be affected by cancer at some point in our lives and quality support and information is vital.
“It is also Ovarian Cancer Month, and I am particularly pleased to see that Ovarian Cancer Australia will be receiving funding to run a regional and rural telephone support service,” Mr Rudd said.
The Parliamentary Secretary for Health, Mark Butler, was joined by Cancer Australia at Parliament House in Canberra today to announce the successful grant recipients and thank partners for their contributions.
“Support with not only the physical side effects of cancer and treatment, but also the emotional effects including depression or anxiety, is critical to helping people with cancer and their families cope with the disease.
"Raising the profile of cancer support options, strengthening networks and improving access to quality, sustainable support is an important part of the Rudd Government's $2 billion investment to build a world-class cancer care system in Australia," Mr Butler said.
The Government is providing $2.2 million in funding through Cancer Australia from 2009 to 2013 for the Building Cancer Support Networks Initiative.
Grants were provided in two main categories:
- targeted grants, provided in partnership with organisations contributing funding or support towards a project that will build sustainable access to cancer support options; and
- capacity building grants, provided to successful organisations which support innovative support networks; are linked to high priority areas such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, rural and remote communities and specific Australian ethnic communities.
The successful grant recipients in both categories are listed below.
Targeted grant projects:
Breast Cancer Network Australia: Improving Survivorship Outcomes for Women
Cancer Council NSW: Brain Cancer Multimedia Support Network
Cancer Council Northern Territory: Aboriginal Health Worker Telephone Support Cancer Network
Cancer Council Queensland: Out and About – Active Cancer Support
Cancer Council South Australia: Cancer Survivorship: A Focus on Return to Work?
Cancer Council Tasmania: Support Service Portal
Cancer Council Victoria: Telephone and Internet Support Groups Program for People with Advanced Cancer
Cancer Council Western Australia: Cancer Support Group Leader Training
Cancer Voices Australia through Cancer Voices South Australia: Pilot Study of Cancer Conversations in Aboriginal Communities
Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia: CALD Communities and Cancer
Ovarian Cancer Australia: Rural and Regional Telephone Support Service
Prostate Cancer Foundation Australia: PCFA – Queensland Support Programs
National Centre for Gynaecological Cancers: Women’s Health Victoria - Who Does and Who Doesn’t: The Use of Information and Support Services by Women from CALD Backgrounds
Capacity building grant projects:
Aids Council of New South Wales: Pink L.A.C.E. (Lesbians Affected by Cancer Explored)
The Australian Lung Foundation: The TWEET Project
Cancer Care Centre Incorporated: Cancer Care Centre Client Support Website
Cancer Council New South Wales: Online Multicultural Cancer Hub
Cancer Council South Australia: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Online Cancer Information and Resource Centre
Cancer Voices South Australia: Online Advocacy and Support
Melanoma Patients Australia ltd: Melanoma Support and Information Network QLD
Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute: “Lung Cancer, Understanding, Managing, Living” Translation to Produce a Multi-lingual DVD in 7 Different non-English Languages
Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute: “Lung Cancer, Understanding, Managing, Living” Promotion and Distribution of DVD to Community Organisations
Tags: Cancer, Health