Cancer Council WA would like to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land throughout Western Australia and pays respect to the Elders past, present and emerging.

Meet Our New Aboriginal Projects Coordinator

Kristy Stewart is a proud Jaru woman from the Kimberley region. She is the Cancer Council WA’s new Aboriginal Projects Coordinator.

What's Happening in Your Region?

Find Cancer Early – Regional Champions

• Find Cancer Early launched its new campaign 'Regional Champions' on Sunday 31 January.
• The champions include cancer survivors, cancer patients and those who have lost loved ones to cancer, and all live in regional Western Australia.
• People living in regional Australia are 20-30 per cent more likely to pass away within five years of a cancer diagnosis than people living in metropolitan areas.
• Contact your Regional Education Officer to arrange presentations, yarning sessions or educational strategies for your community.
• If you or someone you know would like to become a Find Cancer Early champion please contact Cassandra Clayforth, Regional Education Manager on 9388 4347 or email her.

Remember, you can contact your local Regional Education Officer to discuss any of the latest cancer news, education, upcoming training or available resources. 

Palliative Care Placements & Education Opportunities

Palliative Care is an important aspect of Aboriginal health care and it can often be misunderstood. 

PEPA - Program of Excellence in the Palliative Approach, provides free placements set within a specialist palliative care setting (2-3 day duration) and free palliative approach workshops across metropolitan and regional WA throughout the year. 

Financial support is available to assist with this professional development, including support for the cost of travel and accommodation. 

What our participants say:
“As a health worker we need to gain some confidence and the only way we can do this is through education and support. This PEPA placement enabled me to network with people from different agencies within the palliative care area as well as gain knowledge around palliative care” - Senior Aboriginal Health Worker 

Packed With Goodness

Are you interested in helping the parents and carers in your community learn about packing a healthy lunch box?

All WA schools and community groups are invited to register for a free 'Packed with Goodness' parent nutrition education session.

Two Ways, One Chook: Lunchbox Tips

Here are two healthy lunch box ideas using one cooked chook, for the little (and big) kids! 

Sweet Chilli Chicken Wrap OR Fancy Chicken Sandwich

• Place an ice brick or frozen water bottle in your child’s lunch box to help keep their food nice and fresh throughout the day!
• Did you know that one of the BEST things you can do in your child’s lunchbox is ditch the juice box for a water bottle? Water is the best option to keep your child hydrated AND healthy!

Eating healthy can help reduce the risk of cancer and other chronic diseases.

Make Smoking History

ALARMING new research has found that smoking causes 37 per cent of all deaths (and a massive 50% of deaths age 45 years and over) in Aboriginal people. Findings show that smoking reductions achieved over the last 15 years will lead to a large number of lives saved.

Did you know that there is a Quitline available specifically for Aboriginal people? You can call the Quitline Aboriginal Liaison Team (QALT) on 13 7848, Monday to Friday from 8am - 8pm and on Saturdays from 12.30pm - 3.30pm, and yarn with a trained Aboriginal Health Professional about supporting you or your client/s to quit smoking.

BE THE CHANGE! If you are interested in upskilling yourself and possibly working for the Aboriginal Quitline, visit their website.

Crawford and Milroy Lodge: A Snapshot

Crawford and Milroy Lodge offer motel style accommodation for country patients and their carers who need to travel to Perth for cancer treatment or specialist appointments. Guests can access:

• Complimentary breakfast
• Gym and daily social activities
• Theatre and arts & crafts rooms
• Vegie garden
• Free transport to hospital appointments and treatment centres

Country patients can access PATS to help cover the cost of accommodation. 

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet

Did you know…

• The Australian Indigenous HealthInfonet has a huge range of FREE culturally appropriate, evidence based Aboriginal health resources.
• You can access a variety of resource types, such as: educational videos, articles and even current employment or training opportunities for Aboriginal people.
• Health topics covered include: different types of cancer, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, social & emotional well being, healing and more!

NAIDOC 2021

Cancer Council WA is proud to acknowledge and celebrate this year’s NAIDOC theme, Heal Country.

“Country is more than a place and is inherent to our identity. Country sustains us; spiritually, physically, emotionally, socially and culturally” (NAIDOC 2021)

Keep an eye out for the June edition of 'Let’s Talk' for upcoming NAIDOC events around your community.