It’s the unit tasked with helping families through the stages of cancer.
Manning Hospital’s oncology unit services hundreds of patients who suffer from variations of the disease.
Earlier this month, Great Lakes National Servicemen’s Association held a morning tea at Forster Bowling Club as a fund-raiser for the unit.
The idea was spawned by the association as some members have been directly affected by cancer.
The association raised $785 in just two hours.
Cancer care co-ordinator Karen Dahdah was the guest speaker for the event and spoke about her role as well as the work of the oncology unit.
“We have a great oncology team in our rural community and we all do our part caring for our patients working together,” Karen said.
Karen started her role in October 2006 through the NSW Cancer Plan and is one of 16 in the HNEH system and one of three in the Manning Great Lakes region.
The oncology unit is part of Hunter New England Health Service.
We have a great oncology team in our rural community and we all do our part caring for our patients working together
- Karen Dahdah, cancer care co-ordinator
The area of the service stretches from Johns River, as far south as Hawks Nest and Karuah and west beyond Gloucester and Barrington.
Across the area, 576 new patients were added in 2016, with a further 626 in 2017.
The ward includes various roles, such as a nursing unit manager (NUM), two oncologists, medical registrar, nurse practitioner, clinical nurse consultant, part time treatment oncology nurses and clerical staff.
They also utilises other services such as CanAssist, Cancer Council and the Leukemia Foundation.
The unit recently welcomed a new member in the form of oncologist Dr Giovana Celli Marchett.
