1st June 2023

Last Thursday we had a talk by Wayne Simpson the CEO of Rise Above.  Rise Above is a charity supporting cancer patients in the region.  Its main purpose is to ‘make the journey easier’. 

Most of the referrals (about 500 to 600 per year) to the charity come from the Canberra Hospital.  About 40% of the referrals are patients with prostate cancer.  Breast cancer patients also make up another 40% approximately.  Wayne pointed out that more recently there has been an increase in the incidence of brain cancer but could not offer any information as to why this has occurred.

The charity started in 1986 and is based in Queanbeyan.  It provides services to assist patients to set up pharmacy accounts, pay a one-off electricity account, provide food vouchers and dietary supplements.  This is obviously a very good charity and worthwhile supporting.  Personally, I would have liked more info on prostate cancer.  Perhaps that is something we can arrange for the future if there is enough interest from members.

Report : Warren Jones