This is the resource centre for the program and home for many of its activities. It is located on the corner of Koroit and Ryot Streets opposite the hospital.

Staffed by volunteers under medical and nursing guidance, it is the place to seek further information concerning a particular form of cancer or treatment or more specific advice about the services offered by the Cancer and Palliative Care Program.

Publications from the Anti Cancer Council of Victoria will be available along with a library of relevant books.

The centre is open 10.00am - 12 Noon,
Monday to Friday.

Marion Shrader Centre.
279 Koroit Street, Warrnambool.
The phone number is 5563 1310.

  CANCER AND PALLIATIVE CARE PROGRAM
 

WARRNAMBOOL & DISTRICT BASE HOSPITAL

The Marion Shrader Centre is part of the Cancer & Palliative Care Program conducted by Warrnambool Base Hospital. This program co-ordinates a variety of services for:

cancer patients
patients with a terminal illness, whatever the underlying disease
families of the above patients.

Some of these services are offered by the program itself, others tap into existing hospital services while the remainder are available from various agencies within the community.

A summary of these services follows. Not all services will be appropriate for every person because circumstances differ. The stage of the illness is also an important consideration.

However assistance is available, if necessary, in one form or another, to all patients and families.

A group of cancer patients, carers, friends and relatives meet every Wednesday between l0 am-12 Noon in the Marion Shrader Centre. It is a social occasion to share morning tea and news of the week.

A warm atmosphere develops in which to share the good news and the not so good, to make new friends, to find support and reassurance and sometimes to do things "just for fun".

Social activities associated with the group include walking, table tennis, barbeques, lunches, theatre visits and the like.

For further information contact:     Marj Bray    Telephone: 5562 4754.

Volunteers who specialise in the area of relaxation, meditation and massage offer their services to patients, carers and families. There are group meditation sessions held every Tuesday at 11 am in the Marion Shrader Centre or individual appointments can be arranged. For details phone: 5563 1561

Volunteers are a special group of people who have had specific training in the field of cancer and palliative care.

They are involved in many aspects of the program including individual allocation to help particular families, sharing a morning or early evening roster in the palliative care unit and providing bereavement support when necessary.

Practical by nature, volunteers may help with shopping, transport or sit with the patient whilst the carer is away for any reason. They may be able to share a hobby, read a book aloud or be happy to reminisce over some old photos.

Most importantly they are there to listen, being someone who is just a little removed from the environmental turmoil of the family dealing with the cancer.

The volunteer coordinator is Marita Thornton who may be contacted at the hospital.
Her number is 5563 1459.

Spiritual questions often come to the fore after a diagnosis of cancer. The meaning of life and suffering and relationships with other people are issues that need to be dealt with at such a time.

The Chaplain is available to people of all religious persuasions as well as those with no affiliation at all. It is not intended that the Chaplain is to replace your usual church minister or priest but is ready to be involved with any family upon request.

The Chaplain can be contacted on   5563 1680   or   5563 1561.

The aim of this service is to offer comfort and support to bereaved relatives, friends and carers. The volunteers involved have additional training and are trustworthy good listeners.

They are prepared to visit on a regular basis, offer practical assistance such as shopping or transport or assist with information to access other community agencies.

Activities associated with the Bereavement Support Service include: Chaplain at the Marion Shrader Centre on Monday from 1.30pm, an Annual Luncheon held at the Hospital in October and a Ceremony of Remembrance held in April at the Hospital.

Living With Grief Partners Programs are held at regular intervals.

CLICK here to return to the Living with Cancer program.