As many farmers know, even when you’re off the farm, work continues. The same is true for many New Zealand cancer patients who continue working throughout their treatment.
Built with the support of Fonterra’s Doing Good Together Programme, the Canterbury Cancer Centre’s Business Hub offers patients a private, reliable workspace. The Manager of Regional Cancer Services for Southern Cancer Society, Tracey Barratt, says this can make a world of difference for many patients and their supporters.
“Whether it’s keeping up with work, sending an email at 2am, or just needing a peaceful spot, the hub provides flexibility and comfort for our guests. The space is designed for patients, their family members and supporters. For a lot of families, their lives have been put on hold with a cancer diagnosis, and they have to drop everything to deal with it. With this hub, they at least have a space that they can use to catch up on a bit of work, or call other family members in a private, quiet location – regardless of the time of day or night,” Tracey says.
“A huge thank you to Fonterra for supporting this initiative through its Doing Good Fund, helping us continue to care for people with cancer and their whānau across Te Waipounamu. The Co-op’s Doing Good Together team was incredible to work with – they pooled all their funds together from different regions to make it happen, which was really special.”
Feedback from patients and supporters has been overwhelmingly positive for this “much-appreciated facility”.
One patient reported, “Keeping up with work is an often forgotten about or even completely misunderstood aspect of ’normality’ for some people. This facility will be a genuine relief for those who need it.”
The Business Hub is available 24/7, helping guests to continue working, connect online, or simply enjoy a quiet place by themselves.
Based in Papanui, Christchurch, the Canterbury Cancer Centre provides a range of free cancer support services to patients and their family members, including information and advice, emotional and practical support, transport to cancer-related appointments, and accommodation. Last year, 1,123 people stayed at the Canterbury Cancer Centre for 11,413 bed nights.
“We’re here to support anyone going through cancer. We have 34 clinics across the South Island, so we’re well covered,” Tracey says.
The Co-op has been a long-time supporter of the Cancer Society throughout New Zealand. In July, the Co-op’s Lichfield site in the Waikato planted thousands of daffodils, helping the Waikato and Bay of Plenty Cancer Society to raise funds to support those battling cancer on Daffodil Day.
The Co-op supports communities through its Doing Good Together programme, with regional teams championing worthy causes that put good quality nutrition in the hands of those who need it most, provide care and support to keep rural communities strong, and empower communities to protect and restore nature.