Our nurses ensuring no South Australian has to go through cancer alone

On International Nurses Day (12 May), we celebrate our compassionate, highly-skilled Cancer Council 13 11 20 Nurses who support thousands of South Australians impacted by cancer every year. Phil is just one of those South Australians who turned to our cancer nurses after his wife Jess was diagnosed with breast cancer.  

In 2019, mother of two Jess was given the life changing diagnosis that she has breast cancer. The diagnosis came as a real shock to both her and her husband Phil, who took four months off work to be there for their kids as the main carer.

Phil says the family found it really hard to accept help and Jess’s diagnosis hit them all really hard. He needed help to understand his wife’s diagnosis and support their young family.

“I reached out to 13 11 20 for information and support and they connected me with a Cancer Council SA Counsellor. There was so much going on and I felt lost. Counselling really helped me with that, because I got to talk it out with someone who wasn’t Jess.”

Cancer Council 13 11 20 is a free information and support service for anyone impacted by a cancer diagnosis. Experienced cancer nurses can provide information and support across the entire cancer experience, from diagnosis to treatment and beyond.

Cancer nurses can provide a listening ear, offer emotional support, help answer questions, guide you to relevant and trustworthy information, and also link you with a range of other services and supports including accommodation, counselling, financial assistance, legal services, programs to assist with life after cancer, and other people that have been through a similar experience through our Cancer Connect program and support groups.

Nurses can also help those caring for loved ones and provide information to GPs and health professionals.

Jess said that she was incredibly proud of Phil for reaching out for help.

“He did everything, so I was really proud of him when he said he wanted to talk to someone.

“Through it all, it was so nice to know that support was there if and when we needed it. The Cancer Council Nurses really helped our family get through.”

Cancer Council SA Information and Support Manager Amanda Robertson says that a cancer diagnosis can be an overwhelming experience, and often people don’t know where to turn.

“On International Nurses Day, and every day, we are honoured to support South Australians through their cancer experience. We really do encourage more people to reach out when they need it. We’re only a phone call away and are here to support you every step of the way.”

Cancer Council SA’s Nurses are available from Monday to Friday, 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. For more information or to speak with a nurse, phone 13 11 20 or visit our website here.