Bendigo Health

Deanna Keogh has nursed aged care and palliative patients at Bendigo Health’s for 45 years. Dea accidently came into palliative care nursing when Bendigo Health established its first hospice at the aged care facility she was then working in, “I knew in my gut it would be a wonderful opportunity when I was asked to work in end of life care, unlike many other staff who ran for the hills! I had recently lost my mother and found it quite cathartic after her death”.

25 years later, Dea continues to provide the quality of care for which she and her colleagues are renowned.

“It is our patients that are always in our thoughts, their families too. We remember many special people who have stories to tell, examples of great bravery, generosity and humour. We are privileged to be in their lives and deaths and are proud of our unit and the care we deliver. Our staff are always trying to be better and offer soft place to fall”.

“We see patients from across our region – Boort, Charlton, Echuca you name it – and we work hard to make the unit a comfortable and non-clinical space. But after 24 years in the same building, the place needs an update. We want to provide a home-like environment where people can feel most comfortable and it’s the smallest things can make such a difference to patients and also make it easier for the families to grieve.”

Funds from Bendigo Health’s Dry July campaign will support upgrades to Bendigo Health’s Palliative Care unit, including internal painting and new flooring.

Dry July funds are supporting The Bendigo Health Gobbé Wellness Centre. The Centre provides journaling workshops, grief therapy sessions, psychology support for cancer patients, oncology massage, reflexology, cancer rehabilitation, yoga, meditation, pet therapy and most importantly a Cancer Wellness Coordinator to connect our patients to the services that best meet their physical and emotional needs

Bendigo Health Fundraising & Foundation is incredibly thankful to all of the participants who have signed up and chosen to go DRY this July for Bendigo Health. This includes local business people, community members and a number of workplace teams including the team from Awaken Coffee and Reign Legal.

For the Reign Legal team, joining the challenge to go alcohol-free this July is not a decision taken lightly.

Melissa Buchanan, who is Principal Director at Reign Legal said “Initially, the staff who put their hands up were a little wary; we’re a very social group and sharing a drink with people we enjoy is important, however we don’t shy away from a challenge either.” said Ms Buchanan.

“Supporting community causes is also an integral part of our professional culture and core values – it’s a small sacrifice for something so important” Ms Buchanan added.

Reign Legal has set an ambitious target to raise funds for local cancer supports services as part of the challenge. The team wants to ensure their fundraising money stays local, with Bendigo Health to benefit from their participation.

Bendigo Health is raising funds to purchase a new scalp cooling machine, that will be used by patients within its Cancer Centre help prevent hair loss caused by certain chemotherapy drugs.

Bendigo Health’s Director of Fundraising & Foundation, Rachel Mason, said that Dry July has always been an important fundraiser for cancer services both locally and further afield, “We encourage our regional community to consider giving up alcohol for the month of July, but also to ensure funds stay within our region by selecting Bendigo Health as the beneficiary.” Mrs Mason said.

“There is certainly still time to sign up and participate and I can say from experience that the health benefits, such as the increase to energy levels are an amazing personal benefit. There is also a golden ticket which gives a night off the challenge available to purchase for those with a special occasion scheduled.”

“We rely on groups like the Reign Legal team to get involved and I thank Melissa, her team and the many other locals who have already signed up for their support.” Mrs Mason added.

Dry July is a fundraising campaign aimed at challenging social drinkers to change their habits for a month and make some healthy lifestyle changes. Find out more, register or donate at www.dryjuly.com/bendigo

​As a doctor of Chinese Medicine, exploring complementary therapies was a given when Suzi was diagnosed with breast cancer just months prior to her 40th birthday.

Now mid-way through chemotherapy, Suzi credits Bendigo Health’s Cancer Wellness Program as a pivotal ingredient in dealing with the side effects of treatment, especially managing impacts on her mental health.

Suzi describes feeling fortunate that physical her symptoms seem more manageable than others she has met, including patients in her own practice who are going through similar treatments.

Initially, Suzi visited the Gobbé Wellness Centre to consider wig options, “I had lost a lot of hair after the first round of treatment and was conscious of how I looked. I had decided early on in my diagnosis to be fairly private about how I was going to manage my appearance for my own mental wellbeing.” Suzie said.

“Talking to Jenna and Simone about what options were available provided a huge sense of relief and calm, but they also walked me through the Centre, showing me what else they could provide.”

Like 1,254 other patients who will use Bendigo Health’s Cancer Wellness Program this year, the range of activities on offer support patients both emotionally and physically. The staff who oversee a timetable of complementary therapies are equally important to the services they offer, including oncology massage, reflexology, mindfulness, yoga, music, journaling workshops and counselling services.

“As a cancer patient, there are many things you are told to be cautious of; limiting sunlight exposure, so walking outside during summer was challenging; wearing masks in public minimises social activities; and being conscious of what you put on your skin, using very mild shampoos, soaps and lotions. This has a huge impact on feelings of losing your sense of self, loneliness and isolation, even when I am blessed to have an incredible support network around me.”

Suzi describes her first oncology massage session as ‘magical’, providing relief and a sense of calm. “Having the oncology massage all of sudden gave me back a sense of normalcy, it felt ‘magical’ not just in that moment, but in the weeks following.” said Suzie.

Bendigo Health’s Cancer Wellness Program is available with the support of funds raised through Dry July.

Bendigo Health’s Cancer Wellness Coordinator, Jenna Sing, was recently named as the Fundraising Champion of the Year at the Fundraising Institute of Australia‘s National Awards for Excellence.

Ms Sing, who works with Bendigo Health and oversees its well-regarded Cancer Wellness Program, said she was honoured to receive the award for her role in advocating for donations to support the work she is passionate about. “It is lovely to be recognised as the Fundraising Champion of the Year, however it is the generosity of our community that really needs to be acknowledged here.” Ms Sing said.

“I am fortunate to work in a role that allows me to work within the Gobbé Wellness Centre and help local cancer patients with complementary therapies such as oncology massage, reflexology and counselling. Both the Wellness Centre and services offered through the Cancer Wellness Program are 100% funded through fundraising and it’s only from donations, local grants and corporate support that we can offer these opportunities.” Ms Sing added.

Director of Bendigo Health’s Fundraising & Foundation Department, Rachel Mason said the organisation was incredibly lucky to have such a motivated and willing supporter of its fundraising activities, “Be it advocating for corporate support within her networks and at her local football and netball club, offering to speak at fundraising events or being the face of our Cancer Wellness Program, Jenna is helping to create a culture of philanthropy in our local community.”