A generous gift for Day Oncology patients

It’s not uncommon for tears to be shed in a ward dedicated to caring for cancer patients.

But there’s one thing almost guaranteed to make seasoned healthcare professional Nurse Unit Manager Erica Lidgett cry and it’s when she hands out the Cancer Care Packs to patients in the Day Oncology.

“Our patients are just so incredibly surprised and grateful, they often just cannot believe that someone would give them something for free,” Erica said.

“Then, when they go through the bags they realise how helpful all the items inside are, like the coffee and pharmacy vouchers and the moisturisers.”

For some cancer patients, extra items like these are unaffordable.

“Their reactions are incredibly touching and it really gets to me, so I shed a little tear and blame ‘dust in the air’.”

For Erica and her team, who often deal with patients during some of the toughest times in their lives, it brings them such joy to deliver some good news.

“I recently gave a pack to an older gentleman, and he thought he had to pay of it, it was so sweet to see his reaction when I told him they were gifts.

“His joy and surprise is typical of the reaction from our patients, who are just so grateful and gracious; they can’t believe that these packs full of beautiful products and supports are provided to them for free.”

More than 1000 Cancer Care Packs will be provided to patients this year, thanks to the generosity of our incredible donor community, who donated to the Western Health Foundation directly, or supported fundraising initiatives such as WalkWest or the Larapinta Trail walk.

Erica encouraged others to consider supporting the WalkWest event this year, or, if they aren’t able to participate, to sponsor a colleague, friend or loved one by making a donation.

Find out more about how you can support cancer patients on the Western Health Foundation website, or make a donation to WalkWest.