LOCAL lady Margaret Smith understands the pressure caring for a cancer patient can place on loved ones.
With her experience caring for her late husband Frank still clear in her mind, Mrs Smith totally supports the introduction of an oncology facility to Cootamundra.
Mrs Smith will act as the Master of Ceremonies for this weekend’s Ride to Help 10 hour ride-a-thon event.
Mrs Smith cared for her late husband and supported him through chemotherapy treatment for close to five years after he was diagnosed with lung cancer in March 2001.
During her husband’s treatment he was a patient at Riverina Cancer Centre in Wagga.
“My husband was given wonderful care which I can not fault and he made many friends at the centre,” Mrs Smith said.
Mrs Smith can see the benefits of having an oncology facility available locally.
“Having a facility in town would relieve families as well as the patient of the pressures of transporting patients to and from their treatment facility; I understand that you will still need to travel for some treatments and return to see the patient’s doctor for the cocktail of chemotherapy medication that is needed but saving on just a few travel trips and the expenses that follow is certainly a good thing,” Mrs Smith said.
She said the community needs to congratulate Sharon Collingridge and Rachel Elshout, who the driving forces behind the push to have an oncology facility in town.
“If it wasn’t for Sharon and Rachel and the Encore to Oncology team behind the initiative none of us would have ever dreamt of ever having an oncology facility in Cootamundra, we would have just kept going with the flow travelling for treatment,” Mrs Smith said.
“The whole community needs to get behind them not only for the initial establishment of the facility but also the continued support needed once it is up and running.”
The facility will add to Cootamundra’s already highly regarded healthcare services, which often act as a drawcard for residents moving to town.
“If Cootamundra has an oncology facility we can be assured that we will always have doctors and other medical professions available in the town,” Mrs Smith said.
The late Frank Smith lost his battle to cancer on November 22, 2005.
This weekend’s Ride to Help event will be held around the vicinity of Jubilee Park.
The action will kick off at 7am tomorrow, with the official ceremony taking place at 10am, where residents will be entertained with a fundraising head shave.
The day will conclude with bed racing, which is sure to get a few laughs.
Residents not involved in the event have the opportunity to show their support by purchasing stars which will be strung between the trees in Jubilee Park.
Donations can also be made at Salvation Army, T Williams and Co and GV Bargains.
A total of 20 teams are taking part in the event.
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