Family Cancer Connect is a phone peer support service that puts people in touch with others who've had a similar cancer experience.
Our volunteers provide support over the phone to parents, partners, children, siblings and significant others. Once matched with a volunteer you'll be called at home at a time that's convenient for you. Being a telephone peer support program, we can link people all over Victoria with our trained volunteers.
The service is free and confidential. To access it, call our Helpline (13 11 20), open Monday to Friday, 8.30 am to 8 pm.
Diana Clarke still remembers the roller coaster ride she endured when her son Michael was diagnosed with cancer.
It's been 10 years, but Diana Clarke can still recall the fear she felt when a doctor told her that Michael had lymphoid leukaemia.
The fear was soon replaced by a desperation to help him survive the disease. She focused on his needs, the doctors did their bit and luck played a part. Michael is now 15 and full of life.
Diana talked at a Family Cancer Connect training day about the roller coaster ride her family endured in the years of uncertainty following Michael's diagnosis.
He was treated, suffered a relapse and then underwent a bone marrow transplant over a 5-year period.
During the 3 days of volunteer training, Diana listened to the stories of parents whose children had died and she celebrated the lives of children who have survived.
Diana is one of the parents who staff our Family Cancer Connect initiative. The first group of volunteers, including Diana, have been trained and are now offering support to people through this new service - a collaboration with the Royal Children's Hospital and Monash Medical Centre, supported by the Helen Macpherson Smith Trust.
‘It's an incredible experience from start to finish and some of the fear never really leaves you. I know how important it is for people to connect with someone who will listen and understand what's happening,' Diana said.
‘We're lucky. Michael is doing well. But you never know the outcome of treatment and it's important to be able to talk to someone who can help you keep a positive focus on what's happening.'
