Help us to improve Cancer Services in our Region

Enhancing the quality of life for cancer patients and their families who live in the Albury Wodonga region

Our
Mission

To enhance the quality of life for people with a cancer diagnosis and their families who live in the Albury Wodonga region.  

 Our Focus

We advocate for more supportive care, better palliative care and assistance with financial difficulty following a cancer diagnosis.

Lobby & Support

From its very conception the AWCF  has advocated for enhanced care for the patients diagnosed with cancer who live in our local region.  

Issues & projects we have worked upon include:
  • Establishing  a volunteer palliative care service
  • Providing funding to increase the hours of the first oncology service 
  • Lobbying for an oncology and radiation service on the Border
  • Lobbying for a Cancer Hospital on the Border
  • Review and lobbying for an enhanced palliative care service
  • Review of the adequacy of social workers and support personnel
  • Develop Cbag & Cplan for patients
  • Establishment of the unique AWCF Financial Assistance Program
  • Development of an informative website to enhance awareness of local and national services & support available 

Palliative

Palliative Care is a time in life when we deserve to have the best care around our choice to die how we want to.  Our relatives need to have the best possible experience and support to spend the last days with loved ones as possible.  

In 2018 the AWCF commenced a review of the palliative care services in the region. 
The review identified significant opportunities for enhancements and provided a comprehensive list of  recommendations.   Some of the suggested enhancements have been implemented. 

The AWCF is working with the applicable parties in an attempt to implement the remainder of AWCF recommendations which we strongly believe would see a more cohesive and  enhanced quality palliative care service for Border residents. 

Financial Assistance

The Financial Assistance Scheme operated by the AWCF is  unique in that we are unaware of any similar scheme in Australia. 

The AWCF provides financial assistance to patients who find themselves in financial difficulty due to their cancer.  The normal assistance is up to $700 but in exceptional circumstances the AWCF provides in excess of the $700. 

To access the AWCF Financial Assistance Scheme cancer patients and/or their carers should discuss their financial difficulties with their Oncology Social Worker,  Cancer Care Co-ordinator,  or Palliative Care Co-ordinator. Those professionals will then access a vast range of financial support available including the AWCF Financial Assistance Program.

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