At Cancer Wellness Support, everything we do is grounded in the belief that no one should face cancer alone. For over two decades, our commitment to affordable, accessible and person-centred support has shaped how we care for people living with cancer and those who walk alongside them.
As the needs of our community continue to evolve, our services have grown and adapted to ensure support remains accessible and responsive. Our three strategic priorities guide this next chapter – strengthening our impact today while building a more resilient and sustainable future for everyone who comes through our doors.
These priorities reflect where we are today, and where we are intentionally growing next.
STRATEGIC PRIORITY #1: Become a Lead Local Agency for Lymphoedema Management
At least 1 in 5 people living with breast, gynaecological, melanoma or prostate cancer will develop secondary lymphoedema. This lifelong condition can be debilitating, yet access to specialised treatment remains limited, with high costs placing support out of reach for many.
In our region alone, more than 2,300 people are diagnosed with cancer each year, with a significant proportion requiring lymphoedema care. This already represents approximately 25% of our annual therapy investment. However, specialised treatment is not always readily available, leaving many people facing long waitlists, ongoing discomfort, and financial strain.
In the coming year, Cancer Wellness Support will:
- Establish our Supervision and Mentoring Program to strengthen clinical capability
- Expand therapy delivery and grow our specialist therapist pool
- Scale our partnership with Mt Wilga to deliver more specialised treatments locally
- Enhance our Lymphoedema Program through refined service delivery and additional equipment
- Strengthen our role as a trusted referral pathway across the Nepean Blue Mountains LHD
- Advocate for greater recognition of lymphoedema as a critical survivorship issue.
STRATEGIC PRIORITY #2: Support our Growing Membership of Carers
In Australia, 1 in 9 Australians provides ongoing care to a loved one. Informal cancer carers provide an average of nearly 29 hours of care each week, often alongside work, family responsibilities and financial pressure.
Despite this, carers remain under-recognised and under-supported within the health system. There is limited access to grief and bereavement support, and when a loved one passes, services often withdraw – leaving carers isolated at the time they most need care and connection.
In the coming year, Cancer Wellness Support will:
- Continue to recognise and support carers as an integral part of the cancer journey
- Provide affordable, person-centred support for both clients and carers
- Strengthen referral pathways with health and community partners
- Raise awareness of the role of carers through storytelling, education and advocacy.
STRATEGIC PRIORITY #3: Capacity Building Fund: Powering our Future Growth
As part of our 20-year milestone, Cancer Wellness Support launched the Capacity Building Fund at the Emerald Dinner in June 2025.
The Fund has been established to strengthen long-term sustainability, increase service capacity, and build financial resilience at a time of significant growth in both membership and therapy delivery.
This reflects our commitment to meeting increasing demand while ensuring we remain agile and ready for future opportunities.
In the coming year, we will:
- Fundraise to support a staged approach to key projects, including expanding therapy capacity at the Penrith Wellness Centre
- Build awareness of the Capacity Building Fund and its role in supporting our community
- Grow our specialist therapy workforce to meet increasing demand
- Diversify income streams to strengthen long-term sustainability.
Together, these priorities reflect our commitment to delivering accessible support, strengthening connection across our community, and investing in the future of Cancer Wellness Support.
With the continued generosity of our community, we will continue to deepen our impact and respond with care, compassion and purpose to local people and families living with cancer.
