Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre

For many people facing a cancer diagnosis, the journey is more than a medical challenge,it is emotional, practical and deeply personal. At the Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre (AWRCC) Wellness Centre, social workers like Michelle Frei help patients and families navigate the many challenges that can arise during and after treatment.

In 2024, Albury Wodonga Health identified a growing demand for social work support. Thanks to funding approved by the Sunshine Trust Board and the generosity of community donors, Michelle is now able to provide compassionate, specialist support to patients and carers.

“We’re here to walk alongside people during a time of great uncertainty,” Michelle says. “That might mean helping someone manage financial stress, access transport or accommodation, connect with support services, or simply taking time to listen.”

Michelle supports patients in a wide range of ways, including linking them with services such as My Aged Care, Carer Gateway and counselling supports, assisting families facing housing insecurity, and coordinating emergency assistance like food relief or utility support. Some people need short-term guidance, while others benefit from ongoing support over months.

“Sometimes the work is complex and time-consuming,” Michelle explains. “Other times it’s as simple as making a cuppa and hearing someone’s story. Those informal moments can be just as important.”

Referrals come from across the cancer centre, including clinical teams, volunteers and patients themselves, and demand continues to grow.

Drawn to oncology for personal reasons, Michelle says supporting the whole person is what makes the role meaningful. “Even in the hardest moments, there is so much resilience and strength. It’s a privilege to be part of this journey.”

For McGrath Breast Care Nurse Sarah, signing up for Dry July this year is about far more than giving up alcohol, it’s a deeply personal mission to honour loved ones and support the cancer services that matter most.

“When I saw Dry July pop up on my social media feed, I thought, my body could do with a bit of a reset,” she said. “But more importantly, the funds raised go towards supporting people with cancer, and that’s something incredibly close to my heart.”

Sarah lost her cousin to breast cancer when she was just 33. “She had her whole life ahead of her and I remember thinking how unfair it was. I wanted to do something to make someone else’s journey a little better. Even if we can’t cure cancer, we can improve the services that support people living with it.”

Her motivation is also driven by her mother’s experience. Currently living with stage four ovarian cancer, Sarah's mum has benefitted from many of the services that rely on community donations. “They’ve been fantastic,” Sarah said. “Anything I can do to help ensure those services continue, and that the quality of care remains high for others, that’s what’s important.”

Although this is Sarah’s first time participating in Dry July, she’s no stranger to fundraising. She’s hosted Australia’s Biggest Morning Teas and even shaved her head for cancer research. But this time, she’s bracing for a different kind of challenge.

“Most weekends I like to have a few drinks with friends and go dancing. So I’ll have to find new ways to relax,” she laughed. “But I think it’ll be really good. We fall into the habit of using alcohol to unwind, but we don’t actually need it, and I think my body will thank me for the break.”

Working on the frontline as a McGrath Breast Care Nurse, Sarah sees first-hand how vital donations are. “While my role is primarily clinical, you can’t work in cancer care without offering emotional support too. Fundraising enables services that many patients couldn’t otherwise afford. Sometimes the smallest gesture, funded by donations, can make a huge difference to a patient’s quality of life.”

Sarah set a modest fundraising target of $500 but hopes to surpass it. “If I can raise more, that’s amazing — every dollar goes to services that help real people every day. And who knows? If all goes well, I might just keep signing up each year.”

Thank you to everyone who has registered for Dry July and joined the Trust Fund in our first year participating in this meaningful fundraising campaign.

Your commitment is helping make a real difference in the lives of those in our local community with a cancer diagnosis. Your support truly matters.

Andrew Mackinlay Trust Fund Manager

Gwynda began participating in a clinical trial at the Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre (AWCC) in 2021, and what she expected to be a 6-month commitment has turned into a longer-term involvement, with regular assessments, monitoring, and treatments to manage her health.

Gwynda visits the Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre monthly for appointments with her Medical Oncologist and Clinical Research Nurse, where she receives regular injections and provides blood samples to the trial. She notes that being part of the trial has kept her from needing blood transfusions, a potential next step if her condition worsened.

Gwynda appreciates the support of her entire team, particularly her Clinical Research Nurse, who has been there every step of the way and explains, that had she needed to travel to Melbourne to be included in a clinical trial, she may not still be here. The financial and emotional investment would have prevented her from taking part.

Looking ahead, Gwynda is optimistic and grateful for the opportunity to be part of something local that could help others in the future. "I’m lucky," she says, “and grateful for every moment.”