the warwick foundation: supporting young aussie adults with cancer
Australia’s only charitable foundation supporting young adults with cancer is reaching a significant milestone – celebrating five years supporting the unique needs of 18-40 year olds as they face the battle of their lives.
Cancer amongst this age group is growing, with research showing that now every hour in Australia a young adult is diagnosed with cancer.
This group of adults is also often the “forgotten generation” of people suffering cancer, with fundraising, support, awareness and prevention often focussing on young children, teenagers or specific types of cancers.
Adults facing cancer at this stage of their life face a unique set of circumstances that require a unique response.
After experiencing first-hand the issues her older brother Warwick faced while battling a brain tumour, Samantha Lehmann started The Warwick Foundation.
Samantha says Warwick, a young married dad, faced additional hurdles during his battle because there was nobody his own age he could talk to.
‘Most young adults are being treated alongside people years older than them, and are facing a completely different set of issues including financial stress, fertility issues, loss of independence as well as anxiety and depression,’ she said.
‘They are often at the peak of their careers or starting a new family and their friends are unable to relate to what they are going through.’
The Warwick Foundation provides age-specific support and information, peer support and referrals and wellness escapes to members across Australia.
Despite receiving no government funding, referrals to its services come from around Australia. Hospital staff, social workers, the Cancer Council and other cancer support agencies most commonly refer patients in the stages after their diagnosis.
Bec Limb is one member who has received support from the foundation through her battle with cancer over several years, and is now supporting others.
Bec, who is in remission, is one member who has received support from the foundation through her battle with cancer over the 5 years the foundation has been running and is now supporting others.
She has endured the very issues The Warwick Cancer Foundation was set up to support. Diagnosed at 20 years of age when she was studying and trying to forge a career path, she put that on hold to battle cancer.
She has many body issues as the result of treatment including early menopause, thyroid problems, infertility, emotional distress from battling cancer for over seven years, physical aches from surgery and a lower immune system making her prone to viruses.
Despite this, Bec is always positive about continuing to fight and help others going through the same thing.
The Warwick Cancer Foundation’s Chief Operating Officer Tania Dougas, who has also been personally touched by cancer, said fundraising was critical to the ongoing work of the foundation.
‘We rely solely on the generosity of Australian individuals and organisations as well as community fundraising efforts. Because of the growing incidence of cancer amongst this age group, it is critical that we continue to raise funds to meet these needs into the future.
‘This is a very real and increasing problem. Recent figures collated by Bowel Cancer Australia show that the number of bowel cancer cases found in people aged between 20 to 34 has risen 64 per cent over the past 20 years.
‘Together we will fight to continue to meet the needs of young adults facing cancer.’
The Warwick Cancer Foundation is Australia’s only organisation focussed on supporting the needs of young people with cancer, aged 18-40.
This month a 5th birthday celebration will be held to raise funds so The Warwick Foundation can continue to support more members into the future.
Join comedian and patron Tom Gleeson, TV personalities and other special guests for a birthday bash like no other, for The Warwick Cancer Foundation’s 5th birthday fundraiser. Help The Warwick Cancer Foundation raise funds to support even more young adults through this difficult time by coming along on the night.Great entertainment, food and drinks, fantastic auction and raffle prizes all included for just $150 a ticket.
The Warwick Foundation 5th Birthday fundraiser will be held on Friday 26 July,7.30pm-1am at The Leveson Hotel, 46 Leveson Street, North Melbourne.
To purchase tickets visit http://www.everydayhero.com.au/event/TWF5thBirthday
Good on you all. My son had bowel cancer at age 29. He has survived it, thankfully, but still has issues to deal with.
He has a marvellous outlook and travels the world a lott. No partner due to the severe interruption to his life and possibly the future concerns,not really for me to say though. I think he would have got through it all better if your group had been around back then in 2004. He needed the type of social support that a group like yours probably offers.
I wish you all the best.
Janene