Seeking Volunteers

As we get closer to launching our website I need to start looking for volunteers to form a commitee.We are based in Melbourne and although we plan to provide funding nationally in the future, all our fundraising will be held in Victoria to begin with.I am definately open to ideas and feedback from people interstate.

We will be providing features and services on our website that will be available to everyone ( cancer patients/surviors/family/friends) in Australia.

I am looking for people who are passionate about making a difference in this area, you need to be focused,hardworking,a good sense of humour and have great social skills as you will be expected to be a constant networker and advocate for this cause.You will be expected to commit 5hrs per month and be available to work at The launch which will be a gala evening in May 2008.3 months prior to the event we will be meeting up more often so hours my increase to 10-12hrs per month.

You can be a survivor/friend/family member or even just a person who has not been touched by cancer but wants to help others who have been.

Being a volunteer will contribute to your future career aswell provide personal satisfaction that you are helping people.

I believe together we can bring about change and improve the care/support systems for young adults on their cancer journey in Australia.I need your help

Please contact me if you are interested.

Warm Regards

Sam

Why Am I doing this???????

In March 2005 I lost my beautiful brother Warwick to Cancer, a brain tumour, he was 35years old. Through my grief I thought often about the struggles my brother faced during his illness. Why wasn't he attending some sort of support group with people his age going through what he's going through? Why was he having treatment with the elderly? How come mum and dad weren't offered support until the day he went into palliative care? Why was he placed at the end of his journey in a 12sqm hospital room with paint chipping off the walls and nowhere for his family to sit hour after hour, there was no room in palliative care? He did go to Palliative care eventually in the last 4 days of his life, the nursing staff were caring however we were not informed about what actually happens as you die, If you have ever been witness to watching a loved one slip away with cancer, as they move closer to death they start to shallow breath also known as the death rattle. Its very distressing to watch someone you love go through that, we were not informed about it and it was a shock to walk in on the day my brother passed away to see him like that, It looks and sounds painful, we were told by the nurses after our concerns and cries of shock seeing him this way that he was not in pain.  These sort of situations and many other questions about the care my brother received throughout his cancer journey entered my mind frequently.

About a year and half after his death I accepted that my brother was gone and I started to move forward with my life, my family, my career .Yes I moved forward, you never get over the loss of a loved one you just move forward, you do it for those that are still here, your loved one who has gone and for yourself. I'll always love and miss my brother but his memory will always live on in my heart.

I started to lose the passion for what I did in my career and found myself often researching the net looking for support networks/foundations/organizations etc that focused on young adults with cancer, I felt that my brother deserved better in this wealthy country of ours and wondered why he hadn't received the care/support he deserved. I did find about 12 different organizations/support networks but they were all in the USA.I could only find one new program established at The Peter Mcallum Institute in Melbourne called ontrac@Petermac a service for young people living with cancer. I couldn't believe it. Just one. I approached them to see what they were about and what they were doing and as a government body they desperately need funding to achieve what I have noticed is needed in this area.

I decided to sell my business and focus on my family life but would often think about other young adults battling cancer right now, how were they coping? Did they have any support? I knew they would be facing the same struggles my brother did and that made me sad and frustrated, I wanted to help in some way. 

So here I am trying to make a difference, I couldn't live the rest of my life knowing there were major gaps like this in the public health system and not do anything about it.

In memory of my Brother who loved music, his friends, his family and his life, I have set up The Warwick foundation, I believe together we can fight and make a difference for young adults on their cancer journey.

About Us and My Mission

Young Adults with cancer often encounter a unique set of issues and challenges         

They generally feel Isolated and alone or "too young" to have cancer

Children diagnosed with Cancer have many resources available to them. Entire Hospitals are dedicated to their treatment, they benefit from the majority of financial aid, research funds and foundations such as make a wish and Ronald McDonald house and, of course they typically have supportive parents to carefully manage their care.

Like Children, older people are more likely to have numerous recourses: family nearby, a pre-existing support network via social, professional and community connections, health Insurance or Medicare, a better understanding of cancer and, perhaps some financial security.

At The Warwick Foundation we aim to create awareness, offer support and lobby for better care for young adults with cancer in the public health system.

Our Mission is to create a community on the web and face-to-face support for cancer patients, survivors and caregivers.

We want to contribute funding to the establishment of care centers for young adults in all Australian public hospitals. A place where similar aged people can have treatment together and share their experiences, a haven where they can listen to music, read books, watch movies and relax in a peaceful tranquil garden. We want to see hospital rooms decorated with art and painted in healing colours, a place that suits the needs and interests of Young Adult on their cancer journey.

'In my Shoes'

Once diagnosed

It's a journey I must walk

I don't want to do it alone,

I need support

I need care

I need strength

I need knowledge

I need Power

This is my fight for life

A battle I need to win

'Put yourself in My Shoes'

In My Shoes 

The Warwick Foundation

Supporting young Adults on their cancer journey 

Hi, Im in the process of establishing the very first and only Australian non profit charitable organisation supporting young adults on their cancer journey.

In March 2005 I lost my brother Warwick to cancer, he was 35 years old,Through my grief and my brothers own experience, I noticed some major gaps in the Australian public health system inregards to support and care for young adults aged (18-40).

With the help and knowledge from Oncologists and professionals in this area, I am setting up a foundation in memory of my beautiful brother.

Through this foundation we hope to create awareness for this need aswell as raise money to create better support systems through the cancer journey for all patients, survivors and caregivers .

 Our website will be up soon where you can view everything we plan to achieve through the foundation.Visit us at www.thewarwickfoundation.org.au

I want to hear from anyone who has or is a patient with cancer,survivors and caregivers.I want to hear about your experiences.

Through myspace I can update you all on our progress aswell as events etc.

Looking forward to hearing from you

PS, Ill add a photo soon of my brother and I.