Cancer survivor highlights urgent need for financial support
The healing tentacles of COUCH Wellness Centre are long and powerful, you just have to ask cancer survivor Robert Soderberg as he praises the organisation set to lose its funding.
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The healing tentacles of COUCH Wellness Centre are long and powerful, you just have to ask Robert Soderberg.
A prostate cancer diagnosis late last year hit the 69-year-old for six, consuming him and wife, Cathy, with feelings of anxiousness and nervousness that only the big C can do.
The feelings were compounded with another cancer diagnosis in the family not long after but by then, they had COUCH on their side.
“It’s not only all their services, you meet people who are in a similar boat as you – a bit worse or a lot worse than you – and that’s helped,” Mr Soderberg said.
“It’s even helped my wife, Cathy, because one of our daughter-in-law’s in Brisbane has not long been diagnosed with breast cancer. There are women who’ve been through that here and you ask questions and we’ve been able to pass things on to her.”
Mr Soderberg is sharing his story to highlight the impact COUCH Wellness Centre has on those affected by cancer in the Far North.
The Cairns Post is partnering with COUCH in their Champions of COUCH Christmas Appeal to help raise awareness and much-needed funds as they face their federal government funding ending in March.
The situation has caused widespread concern in the community.
COUCH board chairman Dr Scott Davis said you could become a “champion” by donating $2700 for a year, however any support would be appreciated.
Mr Soderberg said he and his wife used COUCH’s facilities off Reservoir Rd four times a week, utilising the specialised gym with an exercise physiologist, attending Men’s Prostate Group meetings and networking with other centre users.
He gives COUCH a score of “10 out of 10” in helping him through his eight weeks of radiation and now in post-treatment which is making him fitter and stronger.
“It really helped me. The gym’s been really good for me. I wasn’t getting as fatigued through the radiation.”
Mr Soderberg will find out at the end of November whether the cancer has gone or what he faces next.
“If there is a bit more there, it will have an effect but I think I have the strength and positivity to get rid of it and not let it worry me. I’ve got people here at COUCH I can come in here and talk to.”
COUCH is a community-owned organisation with its footprint extending from the Torres Strait to Cardwell and west to Croydon and addresses gaps in cancer care.
Dr Davis said the state-of-the-art facility offered integrative oncology as well as social connection so that people like Mr Soderberg were empowered and supported during their cancer journey.
“You walk into COUCH and there’s nothing too hard for them to do – they’re beautiful people,” Mr Soderberg said.
To become a Champion of COUCH: Call 4032 0820 or email: champions@couch.org.au
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Originally published as Cancer survivor highlights urgent need for financial support
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