Head and Neck Cancer Support Group
Calvary Mater Newcastle’s Head and Neck Cancer Support Group was established in July 2010 as a means of providing further support to head and neck cancer patients in the Newcastle and Hunter area.
The group meets on the 4th Wednesday of every month and is facilitated by Allied Health Professionals working within this area, and provides both education and peer support.
Next Support Group
Staff at Calvary Mater Newcastle invite you to attend the Head and Neck Cancer Support Group for our second meeting since resuming post COVID-19. As with last meeting, our room capacity is still set at 24 so we ask if you could RSVP so we can ensure we won’t need to turn anyone away.
This month we are very fortunate to have Sue Ward, a Psychologist working for the Psycho-Oncology Service at Calvary Mater Newcastle. Sue will present on ‘survivorship’, focusing on adjusting to life after cancer treatment as well as ways of dealing with uncertainty, particularly in light of the current pandemic. There will be time for questions.
The second hour will then provide an opportunity for you to talk to other people with similar experiences.
Please remember it is very important that you RSVP as spots are limited and we will be unable to accept walk ins. If you do RSVP and are no longer able to attend could you also let us know so we can offer your spot to someone else.
Date: Wednesday 28 April 2021
Time: 2:00pm–4:00pm
Where: Room 2064 Level 2, Calvary Mater Newcastle (opposite Radiation Oncology)
Contact details:
Cathy Odelli and Talisha Varoxis (Dietitian) 4014 4776
Noelle Smith (Social Worker) 4014 4806
Laurie-Anne Minslow (Speech Pathologist) 4014 3136
The group runs for two hours every month. The first hour focuses on an invited speaker with relevant education/information, while the second hour is for more informal group socialising and facilitated group sharing.
The group is an ‘open’ group that allows a person to move in and out of it depending on their needs at the time. This ‘open’ group also allows for a cross section of experience across a person’s cancer journey – from diagnosis, treatment, recovery and long term survivorship.
To date, the group has heard from a variety of different speakers including: Radiation Oncologists, Medical Oncologists, Dentists, Audiologists, Psychologists, Dietitians, Physiotherapists, Speech Pathologists and Social Workers. The group has also participated in a variety of events, such as ‘Relay for Life’, and members have undertaken Head and Neck Cancer Awareness activities including the selling of head and neck badges, wrist bands and magnets.
The group is open to any person with a diagnosis of head and neck cancer and their carers/family.
