Cancer Society of New Zealand

Support Services

We offer a wide range of support services to all those coping with cancer. Most services are either free or subsidised. Not all serivces are available in every region. Please check with your local Cancer Society Centre to confirm availability.

Our Services are as follows:

• Transport to Treatment
• Accommodation During Treatment
• Patient/Family/Whanau Support Volunteer Visitors
• Look Good…Feel Better
• Counselling/Psychosocial Services
• Cancer Society Rooms
• Massage
• Lymphoedema Education and Support
• Compression Sleeve Hire for Travel
• Silky Pillows and Softees (temporary prostheses)

Transport to Treatment

People with cancer who do not have their own transport, or do not have family/whanau or friends to take them regularly to and from hospital for radiation therapy or chemotherapy treatment, or for cancer related outpatient appointments, can use the Cancer Society Driving Service. Tell the staff at the Wellington Blood and Cancer Centre if you need help either regularly or from time to time, and they will contact the volunteer driving coordinator from your area.

Accommodation During Treatment

The Cancer Society's Margaret Stewart House provides accommodation, companionship and support to out-of-town cancer patients who are facing extended time away from home whilst undergoing treatment at the Wellington Blood and Cancer Centre. You may be eligible for accommodation assistance from the Ministry of Health to fund your stay - check with your referring hospital or hospital social worker.
Cancer Society accommodation is also available in association with the other cancer centres around New Zealand. Call 0800 CANCER (226 237) or info@cancersoc.org.nz for more information

Patient/Family/Whanau Support Volunteer Visitors

Volunteer visitors are trained volunteers who can offer caring support for cancer patients and their families/whanau. Call 0800 CANCER (226 237) or info@cancersoc.org.nz for more information

 Counselling/Psychosocial Services

Counselling provides a confidential outlet for people with cancer and/or their carers to talk about how you are feeling. It can help you understand what is happening to you and assist you to find effective ways to cope.

Referrals to counselling services for people with cancer and their carers can be made by calling 0800 CANCER (226 237). You do not need a doctor's referral.

Look Good...Feel Better

Look Good Feel Better is a free programme dedicated to teaching women with cancer, through hands-on experience, techniques to help restore and enhance their appearance during and after treatment. Look Good Feel Better is a step by step make-over session led by cosmetician volunteers. Call 0800 CANCER (226 237) or info@cancersoc.org.nz to register

Cancer Society Rooms

Visit the Wellington Cancer Society Rooms at 52 Riddiford St Newtown. The Cancer Society Rooms has a wealth of information about all our programmes and services. Please contact our other Centres for inofmraiton on the local rooms available in your area.

The Cancer Society car park, opposite Wellington Hospital, is available free of charge to people with cancer attending hospital appointments, as space permits. Please present your appointment card to our receptionist and inform us of your car registration number.

Our tea-room provides a place to take a break and have a cup of tea or coffee.
Patients, family/whanau and friends can wait here between appointments at the Wellington Blood and Cancer Centre.

Massage

Cancer is not a contra-indication to massage. However, there may be times, especially during treatment, when it is not appropriate to massage a particular part of the body. The massage will then focus on other parts of the body. It is important to consult your doctor before receiving massages.
Massage for relaxation is available at the Cancer Society Rooms in Newtown on Tuesday by appointment. Massages are subsidised by the Cancer Society - charges range from $15-$40 an hour.

Lymphoedema Education and Support

Lymphoedema is a long term swelling of one or more parts of the body due to a drainage system that does not work properly. You may be at risk of lymphoedema following some cancer treatments including surgery or radiation therapy to your lymph nodes. The Cancer Society offers a range of services for those who develop lymphoedema, or who wish to be better informed about this condition. Ph 0800 CANCER (226 237) or contact info@cancersoc.org.nz for more information.

Compression Sleeve Hire for Travel

For those at risk of arm lymphoedema who are travelling overseas, compression sleeves are available for hire (cost $20) for the duration of your trip, from the Cancer Society, Wellington Division. Compression sleeves may reduce the risk of arm swelling occurring as a result of reduced air pressure in the aircraft cabin. Talk to your doctor about this or ph 0800 CANCER (0800 226 237).

Silky Pillows and Softees (temporary prostheses)

Silky pillows are crescent-shaped, satin-covered pillows available free for women who have had breast surgery to protect the underarm area.
A Softee is a temporary prosthesis to be used after breast surgery, to give a temporary breast shape.
Call 0800 CANCER (226 237) or contact info@cancersoc.org.nz for more information about these items.