The patient transport arm of the Tomaree Prostate Cancer Support Group is back in full operation following a break during the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic.
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After taking advice from appropriate organisations, including Cancer Council of NSW, the Mater Hospital and Port Stephens Veterans & Aged Care, the group's executive committee established safety protocols for their volunteer drivers and patients.
The group's publicity officer Max Pride said that volunteer drivers, of which there are 45, and patients, have all been made aware of the protocols, ensuring that the much needed and much utilised transport service can continue to operate in a safe environment.
"We have worked very hard to get our patient transport service back up and running after closing down for a period due to COVID-19," Mr Pride said.
The Tomaree Prostate Cancer Support Group was formed more than eight years ago, and in the 2019 calendar year, the transport arm carried out 469 trips to the Newcastle area for 49 patients, covering 52,300 kms.
The service, where resources permit, is available to all local cancer patients (male and female), with the exception of breast cancer patients who have their own transport service, and has been generously funded by local clubs, community groups, the Cancer Council of NSW and donations from patients.
The support group was established to provide support for men living on the Tomaree Peninsula diagnosed with prostate cancer and to provide transport, share knowledge and social interaction in a caring supportive environment.
"Members also create and foster awareness of prostate cancer in the Port Stephens community and seek funding to achieve those purposes. They also operate a 'Buddy' program for individual support for men and their families," said Mr Pride.
For more information about the group and the role it plays in the community, contact president Neville Stanfield (0411 111 124) or secretary Richard Yeomans (0407 252 566).
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