Masonic Charities pledges $600,000 to Cancer Council SA’s new, integrated cancer building

The Freemasons of South Australia and Northern Territory have pledged to donate $600,000 over three years to Cancer Council SA, which will fund the Wellbeing Wing in the state’s first, integrated cancer building at 202 Greenhill Road, Eastwood.

Cancer Council’s new building will bring together 120 rooms of supported accommodation alongside cancer research, prevention and support services to give every South Australian every chance to survive a cancer diagnosis.

The Wellbeing Wing, located on the ground floor of the new building, will bring together social work, counselling and peer support services, creating an integrated approach to support for all South Australians impacted by cancer.

With 31 new cases of cancer diagnosed in South Australia every day, Cancer Council SA Chief Executive Kerry Rowlands said that support services are vital to ensure every South Australian has every chance to survive their diagnosis.

“A cancer diagnosis can be an overwhelming and daunting experience, particularly for regional South Australians who have to travel far away from the comforts of home to undergo lifesaving treatment,” she said.

“We know that support services and counselling have a significant positive impact on the psychosocial wellbeing of guests, which is why the Wellbeing Wing in our new building will be so important.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Freemasons for their generous support, which will ensure that no South Australian has to face their cancer diagnosis alone.”

Featuring four distinct and comfortable rooms alongside two quiet areas, the Wellbeing Wing will focus on supporting every South Australian, across every stage of their cancer experience.

The rooms will be divided into a dedicated counselling room, a group activity room for peer-to-peer support and integrated therapies such as yoga, art and pet therapy, and two social worker rooms to help guests navigate the emotional, physical and mental challenges of a cancer diagnosis.

David Booker, Grand Master of the Freemasons, who presented the first of three $200,000 cheques to Cancer Council SA this week, said that as an organisation they are incredibly proud to support this once in a generation project for the South Australian community.

“A cancer diagnosis can be a confronting experience and this can be amplified for regional guests who are away from their normal support network,” Mr Booker said.

“The Wellbeing Wing will be a warm and inviting space that will allow for conversation to flow amongst staff and guests and importantly, between guests themselves.

“Reducing the complications and financial strain that comes with relocating to the city for treatment helps more people get the best support and complete their treatment. And that helps to reduce the burden of cancer for more people.

“Like Cancer Council SA, the Freemasons are committed to investing in projects and services that will not only support those in our community today but will leave a lasting legacy. We believe this new building is one such project that will make a generational difference.”

In the last year alone, Cancer Council SA provided over 27,400 nights of accommodation to regional South Australians.

Ms Rowlands said that support from the Freemasons will enable Cancer Council SA to continue this proud legacy for generations to come.

“Our new building will allow us to create a home for every South Australian, regardless of where they are from, or where they are in their cancer experience and get us closer to a cancer free future. A future that is only possible because of the generous support of organisations like the Freemasons.”

Cancer Council SA currently offers supported accommodation at Flinders and Greenhill Lodge. The organisation’s new building at 202 Greenhill Road, which is currently under construction, will combine both lodges into a single, integrated cancer building.

The building is the first of its kind in the state and is set to be completed in August this year.

For more information on the project, or to find out how you can donate and show your support, visit 202greenhill.com.au.

Interviews can be arranged on request by contacting Cancer Council SA PR Advisor Natasha Baugh on 0400 855 244.

Notes to editor:

Centrally located at the old Cancer Council site on 202 Greenhill Road, the purpose-built facility will be the state’s home for all South Australians impacted by cancer, giving every South Australian every chance. The building will include:

• Provision of 120 rooms of supportive accommodation to regional South Australians travelling to Adelaide for cancer treatment, designed to accommodate people with a variety of cancer needs and disability access options.
• Cancer Council’s SA’s Information and Support Services, including Cancer Council 13 11 20, to support South Australians across every stage of their cancer experience.
• A supportive and welcoming place for all South Australians impacted by cancer to access free counselling from trained professionals.
• Support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by empowering them to cut their cancer risk through the Aboriginal Screening Project and Quitskills Program.
• Cancer Council’s evidence-based prevention programs and strategies to empower South Australians to cut their cancer risk.
• A supportive and energising environment to enable Cancer Council SA to speak out on behalf of the community on cancer issues.
• Cancer Council SA’s Behavioural Research Team, which leads the way in applied cancer research and evaluation, while also overseeing the management of Cancer Council’s Beat Cancer Project.