Two cancer navigators from the society’s Timaru office will run support sessions once a month from Twizel Heartland Services.
Community manager Tracey Barratt said the move came as a response to challenges presented to the healthcare sector, and to organisations such as the Cancer Society.
Those challenges included recognised inequities in access to cancer care and support, driven by the geographical nature of the region, and the rate of cancer diagnoses in New Zealand being set to double in the next 10 years.
The programme will be piloted for a six-month period, at which time the uptake and response from the local community will be assessed.
"We’re excited to be able to bring our face-to-face supportive care services to Twizel."
Mrs Barratt said the organisation recognised Timaru was a long way to travel for many people in the area, and it meant they could also potentially reach members of the community living in Tekapo, Omarama and Mt Cook areas as well as Twizel.
The sessions would be run on a one-on-one basis and are open to anyone affected by cancer, whether that was an individual with a cancer diagnosis or someone caring for a person with cancer.
Cancer navigators Monica Scannell and Sharon Tindle would travel from the Timaru office on an alternating basis to run each session.
Both are looking forward to the opportunity to connect with their Twizel clients in their own town.
Bookings could be made with the Cancer Society Timaru on (03) 688 0124 or clients could drop in on clinic days between 11am and 2pm.
