Mia’s Fight.

When you become a parent, especially for the first time, you

are constantly second-guessing yourself when it comes to your

child’s health. “Is it normal for my bub to go off their food

sometimes? Are babies normally always this cranky?”

These were the concerns for first time Albury parents Stacey

Lang and Kyle Yaldwyn, soon after their gorgeous baby daughter

Mia reached four months and had her injections. But Mia’s

bruising, pale face and lack of appetite were not normal side

effects from routine immunisations; after a brief GP visit, referral

to a paediatrician, and visit to Albury Hospital, Mia was swiftly

flown down to the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne after

being diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

Chemotherapy treatment began immediately and for the next

few weeks, the family walked around as if in a terrible dream,

shocked and in disbelief, asking all of the normal questions such

as “Why Mia?” and “How did this happen?”

It was a diagnosis that Mia’s mum Stacey and her mother and

father found even more difficult as the traumatic memories

of her own brother’s battle with the same leukaemia came

flooding back. Daniel Lang was two years old when he was

diagnosed and he fought the insidious

disease bravely for eight years before

passing away at the tender age of 10.

That was 13 years ago and the Lang

family will never fully recover but now

they must fight again for little Mia.

...CONTINUED INSIDE

A PUBLICATION OF

Newsletter

SPRING 2015

Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre Trust Fund Inc.To find out more about the Albury Wodonga Regional

Cancer Centre or to join our mailing list contact Jane on

(02) 6056 7023 or email info@awcancertrust.org.au

Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre Trust Fund Inc.

Why donate to the Regional Cancer Centre?

Government funding will only provide a certain level of

service. If the Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre is

to be a first class, proactive and formidable cancer facility

we must source and manage the extra funds ourselves.

The more funds we can secure, the better the service we

are able to provide to the people of the wider Albury

Wodonga region.

Where will the money go?The Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre Trust Fund

will allocate donations to the service area most in need.

Some examples of how your donation will be used include:n The purchase of new life saving cancer equipmentn Ongoing maintenance or upgrading of essential

cancer equipmentn Professional development programs and training

for staff in the latest technologyn Attendance of staff at major cancer forumsn Supporting cancer researchn Supporting other unique cancer related projects such

as fitting out the dedicated children’s precinct within the

centre, and the Wellness Centre fit out and programs

Your donation stays in Albury WodongaThe Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre Trust

Fund’s point of difference is that we are a 100% local

charity organisation supporting a vital local service,

where 100% of the monies raised will stay in our own

community and help our family members, friends,

colleagues, and acquaintances who may be going through

the cancer journey.

Mia’s father Kyle also has a tragic history of cancer on his side of

the family. As his mum Deanna and proud Nanna to Mia explains,

“My grandmother died of leukaemia, my mum is a breast cancer

survivor, and my aunt is currently going through the cancer

journey.” Although nearly everyone is unfortunate enough to know

someone who has battled cancer, it is fair to say that Mia’s family

on both sides has been dealt an exceptionally cruel hand by fate.

But fight they will, and Deanna describes Mia as a strong little

girl with loads of personality. “Even with all the treatment and

horrible side effects, Mia is still full of hugs and love and melts

my heart whenever I see her. Her motor skill development has

not been affected since her diagnosis, and each visit I notice

she has a new trick. She can hold a rattle, play peek-a-boo

and is learning to clap!”

Little Mia has to be fed through a tube which is a daily challenge

as she is constantly pulling it out and doesn’t understand why

she needs this for her survival. She has chemo every day and is

normally in isolation in preparation for a bone marrow transplant.

Another challenge will be finding a donor for Mia as her parents

are not a match and she is now on the donor waitlist.

Deanna tells of how Mia can leave the hospital for fresh air only

very rarely due to risk of infection, but that the Royal Children’s

Hospital has the most amazing facilities to keep the kids occupied.

Along with a giant playground, there are dozens of toy cars to zoom

around in, and even an aquarium and a mini zoo complete with

meerkats; “Who would have thought?!” she remarks.

With ongoing community donations and significant corporate

support, the Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre’s vision is

to one day emulate the beautiful RCH children’s treatment space,

to ensure local kids can stay close to their family and friends and

receive the best possible care.

Deanna speaks of how hard it has been on the family to be

separated during this distressing time. “Kyle and Stacey are only

young so they don’t have a lot of savings, and all of a sudden they

find themselves paying for significant petrol costs, parking fees and

tram fares. Kyle can only visit his beloved girls on the weekend as

if he doesn’t work, there is no family income and the irony is that

right now they need additional income to offset these expenses.”

Kyle also misses out on seeing Mia’s gorgeous smile every day and

wrapping his arms around his precious bundle. It is lucky that one

of Stacey’s parents is always in Melbourne helping out, constantly

by Stacey and Mia’s side offering support.

In the future, it is hoped that families will be able to stay put in

Albury Wodonga and come home after each day of treatment for

vital sleep and to be all together, gaining strength from each other.

Kyle’s employer ExFlo has been phenomenal support during this

harrowing time, as has the community in general. Deanna extends

gratitude to the overwhelming support the family has received.

“We have people fundraising on our behalf in Echuca and as far

away as South Australia - it will just take the pressure off as the

emotional and physical strain of dealing with cancer is enough,

let alone experiencing financial hardship. We are so thankful.”

If you would like to follow Mia’s journey or donate, search and like

‘Mia’s Fight’ on Facebook. Deanna’s roots lie in Jindera where little

Archie Mahon lives and is also battling cancer. She jokes, “Let’s just

say that when our two families get through this nightmare, there is

going to be one hell of a party in Jindera and everyone is invited.”

Mia’s Fight... continued.

It is difficult to find an appropriate way to provide our individual

donors and community fundraisers with the recognition they

deserve to reflect their amazing acts of generosity and kindness.

Please know that every donation is a very significant contribution

for the benefit of our local community, and we express our deep

appreciation for your commitment and support of this vital service.

Recent significant contributions:n Joss Group - undisclosedn The Commercial Club Albury - $15,000n Rivalea Australia - $15,000

n AP Delaney and Co - $5,000n Organisers of the Health, Wealth and Wellbeing Expo - $1479n Combined Rotary Clubs of Wodonga - $1358n In memory of Freda Mouser and Bill Walton of Howlong - $1239n Jennifer Lewis from Wodonga - $1000n Albury Wodonga Linedance Club - $900n Rotary Club of Henty - $1000n Maryjo Leahy from Khancoban (Dry July fundraising) - $786n WAW Credit Union - $500n Ron Finemore Transport - $500n Yarrawonga Lions Club - $500

A Night at the Art MuseumMAMA cocktail reception.

Help celebrate the dual achievement of two iconic local facilities;

the Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre and MAMA. Be one of the first to experience the brand new Murray Art Museum Albury (MAMA) and sip chilled champagne alongside our fabulous local champions! Hear local people’s heroic cancer stories, learn more about this essential local health facility, and be making a donation to a vital local cause.n Friday 9 October 2015 - 7:15pm for a 7:30pmn Exclusive Cocktail Reception at MAMAn Murray Art Museum Albury (MAMA), Dean St Alburyn $85 per ticket includes canapés, drinks, tour & donationn All ticket proceeds go to Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre Trust Fund to fund our local Cancer Centren Sensational holiday raffle prize kindly donated by helloworld AlburyTickets Phone 02 6056 7023 Email events@awcancertrust.org.auOR www.eventbrite.com.au (Search ‘A Night at the Art Museum’)

Rotary President of Belvoir Wodonga David Brown, Rotary President of Wodonga Central Glenn Mackinnon, and Rotary President of Wodonga West Rao Kuditipudi present a cheque for $1358 to Cancer Centre Fundraising Manager Jane Evans after their recent Rotary International Night.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

A Shining Light.

It may have been way back in June 2002 when local 26 year

old lad Danny Phegan and his loyal band of mates saddled up

on horseback and commenced their zealous quest to ride a

punishing 5,500km from Darwin to Cockle Creek Bay in

Tasmania in the name of cancer research; but thirteen years

later the Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre would like

to honour this astounding feat as it’s reverberations are

far-reaching even to this day.

Danny raised a mammoth $531,318 for the Cancer Council on what

has been described as the world’s longest charity horse ride over

eleven months, aptly titled ‘Campfires Against Cancer’. The money

raised on that ride is still changing the lives of people battling

cancer today. “The drug GSAO is in clinical trials in the UK and

another, PENAO, is in trials at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre

in Melbourne and we are hoping they will cure brain tumours,”

Danny says. “Our money went directly to funding a fellowship for

Professor Philip Hogg, who helped develop those drugs.”

Marriage and five kids later, in 2014 Danny finally had time to put

pen to paper and ‘Trail of Dreams’ was born. It’s been described as

“cancer fundraising meets The Man From Snowy River” and is the

riveting story about the young group of men and women who gave

up their jobs for twelve months and rode out of Darwin in the spirit

of true blue Aussie mateship, supporting each other through the

good times and bad, forging enduring friendships and who were

supported along the way by so many big-hearted Aussies.

You can purchase Trail of Dreams at good book stores or via

www.booktopia.com.au and all proceeds from the book sales go

to the Albury Wodonga Cancer Foundation.

In another inspiring act, Danny coordinated a fundraising concert

at the Kinross Woolshed last November and raised $20,000 for the

Cancer Centre, for which we are very grateful. Danny’s passion is

infectious. “This local cancer centre will keep families together,”

he says. “It will be an enduring monument to people’s fundraising,

something we can all be proud of as a regional community.”

But why did humble Danny Phegan embark on such an ambitious

challenge back in 2002, and why does he continue to raise

awareness and vital funds for local cancer charities? Yes he lost his

beloved grandfather Herbert Freyer to cancer, and several other

members of his family have fought this horrific disease, but it’s

simpler than that. “We live in the lucky country so I just feel duty-

bound and morally obliged to help wherever I can,” Danny declares.

And for this reason, he is one of our Shining Lights of the Albury

Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre.

“The kindness, thoughtfulness and knowledge that the nursing

staff, oncologists and surgeons possess here in Albury Wodonga is

phenomenal,” Peter praises. “It is easy to feel overwhelmed and

unsure but listen to the experts and follow their lead.”

Peter has been impressed with the community’s passion for the

new cancer centre currently being built in Albury, and particularly

likes the fact it will be a first class facility to treat not just the

physical aspects of cancer, but the psychological side of a cancer

diagnosis as well. This will be most evident within the Wellness

Centre where patients and carers will be able to access relevant

treatment information, link with cancer support groups and explore

beneficial lifestyle programs such as massage therapy, exercise

therapy (yoga and tai chi), nutrition and diet advice, meditation and

counselling. In Peter’s words, he is now ‘going in the right direction’

but still has another three months of chemotherapy to treat the

secondary tumours in his liver. Could the bowel screening test have

detected the rectal tumour a lot earlier and stopped the cancer

spreading? In this case it is not known, but Peter’s advice is simple.

“Trust your instinct if you’re not feeling well, get checked out

as soon as possible.” In the year you turn 50, 55, 60 or 65, the

Government will send you a free bowel screening test kit in the

mail. Everyone who receives this is encouraged to complete it.

For more information go to www.bowelscreenaustralia.org

Early detection is the key.

!

Donation options.ONLINE n www.AWCancerTrust.org.au

IN PERSON n Direct Debit at any Bendigo Bank branch

Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre Trust Fund Inc. BSB: 633-000 Account No: 150854123

PHONE n (02) 6056 7023 and have your Credit Card ready

MAIL n Complete and send the form below.

Your Details

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Suburb/Town _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

State _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Postcode _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Email _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

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Donation Type

Please accept my Tax Deductible Donation of:

$20 $50 $100 $200

$500 $750 Other $ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Payment Options

Enclosed is my: Cheque or Money Order

Pay to: Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre Trust Fund Inc

OR Debit my: Visa Mastercard Amex

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Send This Completed Form to:

Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre Trust Fund Inc, PO Box 479, Albury NSW 2640.

DonateOnlinew

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w.AWCancerTrust.org.a

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Please send me more information about:

I would like to become a regular supporter of the Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre Trust Fund

Leaving a gift / making a bequest in my will to the Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre Trust Fund

Donations $2.00 and over are tax deductible. Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre Trust Fund Inc. has been established by the Albury Wodonga Cancer Foundation and approved by the Australian Charities and Not for Profit Commission. The Australian Taxation Office has provided DGR status to enable tax deductibility for donations of $2.00 or more.

A day on the golf green for cancer.Get your mates together, take a break from life’s stresses and enjoy

a fun day for a great cause! All proceeds go to the Albury Wodonga

Regional Cancer Centre Trust Fund to fund our cancer centre.n Friday 6 November - Commercial Club Golf Resort Alburyn 18 hole, ‘4 ball best ball’ ambrose event n From 11:15am for registration and BBQ lunch n Enter as a team of four or as an individualn No handicap required - pros, amateurs and hacks all welcome! n $65 per person includes 18 holes of golf, gourmet BBQ lunch,

finger food upon completion of the round, prizes and donation

to the Cancer Centre. Drinks available for purchase.Tickets www.eventbrite.com.au (Search ‘A Day on the Golf Green’) OR Phone 02 6056 7023 Email events@awcancertrust.org.au

More great events for a great local cause.Look Good... Feel Better.

Look Good...Feel Better is a free national community service

program that helps to improve the wellbeing and confidence

of people undergoing treatment for any sort of cancer.

Regular workshops are provided for women, men and teens to

help them manage the appearance-related side-effects that

can be caused by cancer treatment.

Look Good…Feel Better workshops include sessions on skin

care, makeup, wigs and head coverings to help patients face

cancer with confidence. Each participant receives a Confidence

Kit, full of products generously donated by the Australian

cosmetic industry, and has access to advice and assistance

from the trained volunteers.

The Look Good…Feel Better program was founded, developed

and funded by the Australian cosmetic industry in May 1990 and

to date more than 100,000 people have attended a Look Good…

Feel Better workshop in Australia. There are more than 1,500

volunteers nationally who generously give their time to

supporting cancer patients across Australia.

Rosemary Creed is the volunteer coordinator for the Albury

Wodonga Look Good…Feel Better program and she is passionate

about assisting local cancer patients to face their treatment with

confidence. As Rosemary explains, “Attending this program can

boost a lady’s self-esteem and help her stay positive during this

tumultuous time in her life. Look Good…Feel Better gives cancer

patients the opportunity to interact with people in similar

circumstances and reinforce the notion that they are not alone.”

The Albury Wodonga program’s strength is the warmth and

kindness of the volunteers who run it; many having given their

time for over ten years. For a laugh, a yummy morning tea, and a

chance to get a soothing hand massage for free, the Look Good…

Feel Better program is essential for all locals currently receiving

treatment for cancer. Contact Rosemary on 02 6021 3604 or

email rtcreed@bigpond.com for more information.

The Chemo Angels.

When local lady Veronica was diagnosed with breast cancer a few

years ago, it felt like the rug had been pulled out from underneath

her. Hearing such life changing news was obviously distressing

and occupied her mind day and night. Veronica realised that in

order to get through this arduous time she needed to keep both

her mind and hands busy. So she decided to take up crocheting.

The ‘Chemo Angels’ as they have been nicknamed by others, have

now been meeting regularly for over twelve months, and Veronica

is proud of the group she founded after she discovered there were

other like-minded ladies in the community who were interested

in helping. Some have also battled cancer, others have lost or are

caring for a loved one with cancer.

Veronica and her new friends meet once a week on a Wednesday

at the Hilltop Accommodation Centre in Albury and knit and

crochet beanies, mitten and even woollen booties specifically for

cancer patients in the district.

A member of the group Sue explains, “I found my hands and feet

suffered the most when I was being treated for breast cancer;

I was always cold, even in the warmer months. And many ladies

lose their hair as a result of chemotherapy so we thought we’d

create beanies that were practical but also featured a gorgeous,

fashionable design.”

Sue alone has given away over 150 pairs of mittens and booties

(worn over socks and in shoes for extra warmth) and there is

no slowing down. All the items are given away at no cost as

the ladies fund the entire project themselves. But no-one

minds as they cherish the time every Wednesday when they

have the opportunity to share their experiences and form

lasting friendships.

Sue was thrilled to hear the news that Albury Wodonga would be

getting a regional cancer centre and is excited about the options

that patients will now have. “I never had to go to Melbourne for

my cancer treatment but even heading to

Wodonga for the oncologist appointment,

then having to rush over to Albury for

chemo was somewhat inconvenient.

Next year patients will have a ‘one stop

shop’ and only a corridor will separate

them from their appointments, blood tests,

treatment and the wards. How fabulous.”

Sue is now three years cancer free and

Veronica recently celebrated one year

cancer free.

If you would like to get involved in the

group, call Veronica on 02 6025 2572.

3

An update on the Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre.Construction continues to progress at steady pace with the project

remaining within budget and on schedule for a mid-2016

completion with the centre to be fully operational by July 2016.

The installation of mechanical and electrical components of the

project is well underway and the brick work completed.

The facade has come together to be an impressive feature due to

the hard work of all the project team and from Borella Road the

green finishes are shining through. Nearly all the windows have

been installed and the building is basically at lock up stage.

Preparatory work has commenced on creating the link way

between the current hospital and the new building and this

should be installed in coming weeks. Work on the landscaping

and the additional 134 space carpark is progressing.

The solar panels installed as part of the project have been

commissioned and are functioning, whilst the 100,000 litre

rainwater tanks are in place.

Plastering and painting has commenced on some portions

of the buildings interior.

Albury Wodonga Comedy Festival.Cafe Grove, Wodonga, will host a sterling night of comedy on Friday,

October 16, with proceeds going to support our local Cancer Centre.

Ellen Briggs, the Mum from Mullumbimby, will MC the night with

her take on the life of a modern Mum. Elbow Skin are fast becoming

Melbourne’s favorite musical duo with their blend of clever stand

up, lovable melodies and crowd pleasing style. Headlining Cafe

Grove will be Bob Franklin. It would be a crime to miss seeing this

comedian live on stage where he is at his brilliant best.

n Friday 16 October 2015 - 7:30pmn Cafe Grove, 198a High Street, Wodongan Tickets $25 pre-sale / $30 at the door n Take a night out and enjoy a laugh with proceeds going to a

100% local charity there to support our Cancer Centre

Tickets & More info www.alburywodongacomedyfestival.com.au

Albury Hume Rotary Club are celebrating Oktoberfest this October with 75% of the proceeds supporting Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre Trust Fund. Grab the gang and enjoy a day of German inspired food, beer and celebrations benefitting your local cancer centre. n Sunday 4 October 2015. 11:30am - 5:00pm. Albury Club, Kiewa St, Alburyn $45 ticket gets you a souvenir stein, first drink & Bratwurst is on us! n Local & international beers on tap, Bratwurst, pretzels and live music.Tickets Albury Entertainment Centre 02 6043 5610. Entry 18 yrs & over.

When Peter Batson received the free bowel screening test kit from

the Government in the mail a few years ago, he initially thought

about doing the test but it was then cast aside and his busy life

went on. He had no strong family history of cancer and he was fit

and well with no symptoms.

But in November 2014, after enduring certain discomforts and

symptoms for some time, he finally made the decision to seek

medical advice from his GP. A few appointments and a colonoscopy

later, Peter was in the day chemotherapy chair at the Murray Valley

Private Hospital in Wodonga embarking on five months of gruelling

fortnightly chemo after doctors discovered a rectal tumour and he

was diagnosed with bowel cancer. The tumour had been there for

some time and consequently spread to include secondary tumours

in his liver.

Peter has had a very distinguished career in journalism in north

east Victoria which has been cut short by his cancer diagnosis. He

was a newspaper photographer for 25 years starting out in Bendigo,

before moving to a music and entertainment journalism role with

The Border Mail, whilst also hosting a popular Saturday breakfast

radio show with ABC Goulburn Murray. Peter went on sick leave at

the end of last year and couldn’t return, now officially retired.

Fortunately Peter is a strong soul with a very supportive wife Julie

who he describes as his ‘rock’ and adult children James and Alice

who have been by his side every step of the way. “It’s important not

to dwell on the ‘what ifs’ but to simply tackle the problem head on

one day at a time,” Peter advises. “And if possible, try not to focus

on the cancer 100% of the time, but continue to have other interests

and distractions.”

Peter explains that so many other people are going through the

same thing that he’s never felt alone, and he also credits his

strength and resilience to the fantastic support he’s received locally

from all the medical professionals. Peter remarks that he now

considers many of the staff his friends.