By Lily Lau | Project Leader
Cancer Fund opens doors of new cancer support center to public
Families facing cancer now have access to free, life-changing support on their doorstep
[9 June 2017] For 30 years, the Hong Kong Cancer Fund has been a key provider of psychosocial and supportive care in the Hong Kong community. With the opening of their new CancerLink Jockey Club Support Centre, Kwai Chung, Cancer Fund's network of cancer care and information has been extended to reach more families in the New Territories. Their free services are readily available from the moment of diagnosis, through treatment and for as long as it may be needed during survivorship.
On Friday 9 June, The Cancer Fund hosted an Open Day at their new support centre in Kwai Chung to offer an insight into their support services, available free to cancer survivors and their families. The general public, local social welfare groups, donors and service users had the opportunity to understand the challenges facing cancer patients and survivors, and to see first-hand how they help families cope with cancer through multidisciplinary professional psychosocial support.
"When hospital based treatment is over and their regular team of medical professionals is no longer centrally available to a patient, it can be difficult to find and navigate ongoing support outside of the health system." said Tammy Leung, Director of Service of the Hong Kong Cancer Fund, "families touched by cancer often endure unimaginable pressures. They face a range of financial, psychological, physical and practical life challenges. Overcoming these challenges and adjusting to their 'new normal' requires great strength and support. This is when the free professional support services that Cancer Fund provides can have a life changing impact."
'I thought that after my treatment cancer would no longer be part of my life, but many of my challenges had really just begun. For over three years now the Cancer Fund has been my rock. Their services still help me to cope with my long term side effects, connect with fellow survivors and to readjust to life in survivorship which requires a lot of adjustment in my daily life. I am glad that they have now brought their service to Kwai Chung as it is much closer to my home. I can now come more often to get their support without worrying about the time and cost of travelling,' said Samantha, user of Cancer Fund's free services.
The new centre in Kwai Chung is the biggest of Cancer Fund's four support centres, providing free, professional services including counselling, family support, diet and nutrition consultation, symptoms and side effects management, financial assistance and more. It will organise various cancer support groups to enhance peer support among cancer survivors and help newly diagnosed patients and those undergoing treatment. 'Our fourth CancerLink support centre in the community enables us to better reach patients at Princess Margaret Hospital and families living in New Territories and Kowloon West', said Ms Sally Lo, Founder and CEO of Hong Kong Cancer Fund. 'With our Kwai Chung location, we now have access to the 800,000 residents living in this region, as we help our clients to navigate their diagnosis, treatment and life in survivorship.'
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