Cancer Council ACT's Response to the COVID-19 Crisis.
I’m writing to you today because we are all in uncertain times and I’d like to keep you up to date with what we are doing here at Cancer Council ACT.
The current Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic is continuing to cause disruption and unease for all. It saddens me to see the impact the outbreak is having on communities across Australia and we are not immune here in the ACT.
Following the devastation caused by bushfires over the summer, the massive hailstorm that caused havoc for many in January and now COVID-19, it is more important than ever that we support each other as much as possible.
Every year, around 1,600 people are newly diagnosed with cancer here in the ACT. It’s thanks to you, our generous friends and supporters, that we can continue to help people affected by cancer in these challenging and uncertain times.
Cancer Council ACT’s response to COVID-19
The health and safety of our staff, volunteers, supporters and everyone impacted by cancer must come first, so we’ve taken some steps to reduce the impact of COVID-19 on our community, in line with current health advice - to flatten the curve.
As a very small organisation, our fundraising team are working on a concept to replace the physical Relay For Life event that was due to be held at the AIS this weekend - but it was a ‘safety first’ decision not to go ahead as originally planned.
I am very pleased to advise you that Relay For Life 2020 will go ahead anyway – in a virtual form: Relay Your Way. More details to follow.
I understand the frustration many of you feel at this time by not being able to participate in Relay in its usual form and many of you have been fundraising for many months. The wonderful funds already donated by your supporters go a long way to assist us to continue to help people affected by cancer in the ACT.
However in this challenging time, your support is needed more than ever! For this reason, we have made changes to the format to allow everyone to participate in a safe way and strongly encourage all to get involved in some way and to keep fundraising.
Last week we saw the cancellation of many of our prevention and education sessions for the foreseeable future and all external meetings have also been cancelled. In the past week we have been working towards the team working remotely so that we can continue to keep the organisation running.
In the interest and safety of clients and staff health and well-being, we have had to close our Wig Service temporarily as well. Our online shop does provide a range of head ware that can be purchased until we reopen.
Cancer never rests and neither do we and we all know that for those of you impacted by cancer right now is a more troubling time than normal. Please note the following information and support is still available to you:
Information about cancer and COVID-19 is now available on our website, at www.actcancer.org
If you or a loved one are impacted by cancer and have questions or need support, please call our 13 11 20 Information and Support line, where you can chat to our trained health professionals (Mon-Fri, 9-5pm).
Cancer information is also available online through our website
All services which can be used remotely will run as normal, including the Cancer Council Online Community
For smoking and quitting advice, call the Quitline on 13 78 48.
SunSmart advice is also available through our website.
You can also connect with us on Facebook.
I hope you and your loved ones remain safe and in good health during these uncertain times. Now more than ever, my team and I are so grateful for the passion and dedication of our incredible supporters across the ACT. Thank you for your commitment to Cancer Council ACT.
Sandra Turner
CEO