Having somewhere to escape clinical hospital surrounds during cancer treatment is a relief for Cameron Beyer.
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Diagnosed with brain cancer in March, Mr Beyer has radiotherapy at the Ballarat Regional Integrated Cancer Centre every weekday and frequently visits its wellness centre.
So he was happy to support two new fundraisers for the centre – the inaugural Winter Wellness Wonderland Ball and the sale of beanies, scarves and umbrellas to beat the winter chill.
The BRICC wellness centre offers free programs and support services in a comfortable space where patients and families can relax. But it receives no government funding and relies on fundraising to survive.
“One of the things biggest challenges you find with diagnosis and treatment is around the emotional side and what this centre provides is some support with that side of it,” Mr Beyer said.
Mr Beyer has done art therapy, mindfulness, massage, facials, shiatsu, yoga and consulted with a financial advisor at the wellness centre.
“Doing these things gives you a chance to unwind. When you get diagnosed your life changes. You are constantly thinking about it, being asked a lot about it and you’re on a medical treadmill,” Mr Beyer said.
“This centre gives you the opportunity to deal with some of the emotional side and to have something else to think about and to have another type of experience.”
Wellness centre coordinator Simone Noelker said the centre was open to all Ballarat and Grampians cancer patients and fundraising was vital to the centre’s future.
Comedian Lawrence Mooney will host the inaugural Winter Wellness Wonderland Ball on June 24 at the Mercure Lodge. Tickets are $100 per person including entertainment, canapes and drinks and there will be many prizes and raffles on the night.
The Wellness Centre is also close to Shane Darroch’s heart. The passionate fundraiser wished the centre had been open when his mum battled cancer five years ago.
“A place like this would have given a bit of quality of life for her last few months. To have a place like this in Ballarat is fantastic – it gives people something to do and takes away that initial drain of therapy and financial burdens,” he said.
Tickets available via the Winter Wellness Wonderland Ball page on Facebook.