Help for local cancer patients and families

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This article was published 09/05/2017 (3161 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Central Plains Cancer Services volunteers logged thousands of kilometres in 2016.

Cancer Services executive director Sharilyn Knox said about 160 people offered over 1,000 rides to people going to and from cancer treatment and medical appointments.

The Central Plains region covers a large area from Elie west to Minnedosa and from McCreary south to St. Leon and includes 70 communities. The organization’s office at 318 Saskatchewan Ave. E in Portage la Prairie serves as the base to link volunteers with cancer patients in their communities, Knox said.

Patients typically pay a $25 round-trip fee or $10 for a ride less than 20 kilometres or within their community, and are taken to appointments at medical facilities in Winnipeg, Brandon, Portage and the Boundary Trails Health Centre near Altona, among others.

“We’re had some long-term drivers,” Knox said. “We add more as necessary.”

Central Plains Cancer Services will also pay mileage for patients age 19 and under who register with the organization, and are driven to appointments by parents or others.

Two educators with Cancer Services will deliver cancer awareness programs in schools and workplaces and to community groups.

“They’re talking about sun safety now,” Knox said.

The Portage office contains a large chest of drawers that holds a variety of head coverings for cancer patients who have lost their hair. The hats and scarves are made by volunteers.

A Kids Can Cope program is available to children and teens who have or had a parent, sibling, other family member or friend affected by cancer. “We help them develop some resiliency,” Knox said.

The program offers overnight camps and other social activities.

“We gear the program to the needs of the children.”

The office contains a resource library with books that can be borrowed. Because there is no counsellor on staff, Knox said she and volunteers will help people access other resources.

A spring fashion show and dinner was recently held in Portage to raise funds for the organization. The annual Walk, Run, Roll fundraiser is set for Sat., June 10 at the MNP Building in Portage’s Island Park with registration starting at 8 a.m.

“We’ve got quite a few people registered,” Knox said on May 3. The 2017 event’s fundraising goal is $50,000.

Central Plains Cancer Services makes an annual donation to CancerCare Manitoba Foundation to be used for research.

“We have a great partnership with them,” Knox said.

The organization is looking for board members from across the region. For more information, call 204-857-6100 or see www.centralplainscancerservices.com

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