Pancare Foundation

Meet George and Sarah, a couple whose journey through cancer diagnoses and treatments exemplifies resilience and support in the face of adversity.

It all began with George, noticing alarming symptoms during a leisurely game of golf—rapid weight loss, fatigue, and dizzy spells. Initially brushing them off as minor inconveniences, he couldn't ignore the severity when black stools appeared. Prompted by concern, George's condition deteriorated over the Easter weekend, leading to a visit to the hospital emergency room. There, he received the sobering news of a stomach mass but was sent home with instructions to follow up with his GP for further evaluation. With a history of testicular and bladder cancer, his cancer should have been a flag for investigation but unfortunately not done at the time.

Despite the hurdles, George ended up completing eight weeks of chemotherapy instead of the recommended 14 due to its severity. Followed by a daunting ten-day hospital stay for the removal of his entire stomach. Though the physical toll left him feeling "pretty empty" and "gutless,". He after surgery, George maintained a positive outlook, staying active and finding solace in familiar pastimes like spending time in his shed or playing bowls.

Feeling adrift after leaving the hospital, George found a lifeline in Pancare Foundation and our PanSupport services, where compassionate healthcare professionals offer invaluable guidance and support to those navigating the complexities of cancer survivorship. George has had multiple telehealth appointments with both the nursing and counselling team, and often participates in the online support groups, where he has the chance to share his experience with other cancer survivors.

Throughout this arduous journey, his beloved partner Sarah stood steadfastly by George's side, embodying unwavering support and love. Juggling appointments, adapting their lifestyle, and providing emotional strength, she was his rock through every twist and turn.

Their story serves as a powerful testament to the importance of support and access to healthcare resources. Now, George's advocacy extends beyond his own experience, aiming to improve GP and healthcare education surrounding rare cancers and post-recovery communication.

The funds raised from Dry July 2023 are helping Pancare Foundation continue to support patients and their families from diagnosis to treatment and beyond, through Cancer Care Coordinators, the expansion of Upper GI Cancer Specialist nurse services and the provision of culturally appropriate information to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Following on from the success of the 2022 Dry July campaign, Pancare Foundation were able to raise funds that directly fund the delivery of a national education program “Connecting for Hope: Upper Gastrointestinal Cancers and You” to facilitate improved awareness of upper GI cancers and increased connectedness and hope among the upper GI cancer community of patients, carers, families and local health professionals.

Furthermore, a proportion of the funding will also go toward expanding the Care Coordinator support offered by the PanSupport team for patients and carers.

The need for more specialist nurse, counsellor and care navigation for our patients has grown in the last year and Pancare Foundation are thrilled to have Dry July support us to provide assistance to those who need it.

Thanks to your support, you’ve helped Pancare develop a series of animated videos that help educate about the signs and symptoms of upper gastrointestinal (GI) cancers – pancreatic, liver, stomach, biliary and oesophageal cancers.

Upper GI cancers often go undiagnosed in the early stages due to the presentation of vague symptoms such as nausea, pain in the upper abdomen, loss of appetite, weight loss and tiredness. Currently, no early detection tests are available.

Pancare’s new animation series will help individuals be able to identify and take action on any unusual or persistent symptoms and consult their GP for review before it’s too late.

Your Dry July fundraising has helped employ two new specialist upper GI cancer nurses to support the needs of Australians diagnosed and living with pancreatic, liver, stomach, biliary and oesophageal cancers.

Our team of dedicated nurses in our PanSupport program are there for patients and their families through all stages of their cancer journey. From coping with a recent diagnosis, understanding treatment options or managing symptoms, our team provide practical support at a time when it’s needed most.

On behalf of Pancare Foundation and our team of specialist upper GI cancer nurses, thank you for helping us be there to support more Australians living with these devasting cancers.