Support services for all ages her dream job

NEW HEAD: Gisborne East Coast Cancer Society’s new centre co-ordinator Lianne Jenkins is looking forward to her new role. Picture by Liam Clayton

Gisborne East Coast Cancer Society’s new centre co-ordinator has stepped into her dream job doing what she knows and loves.

Former Canteen Gisborne branch co-ordinator Lianne Jenkins started her new job as centre coordinator for the cancer society this week. She replaces Philippa Meachen, who resigned in March.

Lianne is looking forward to her new role.

“It is the same role in a wider context — now I am able to support all ages.”

With a social work background, Lianne became involved with supporting people with cancer soon after finishing her study about 12 years ago.

“I had based my research paper on the needs of Gisborne families relating to teenagers who had cancer and their families. I was volunteering for Canteen and I showed them my research and they said ‘Yes and wow!’”

A local branch opened in 2006 and for the next 12 years Lianne was the key person for Gisborne teenagers and their families coping with cancer.

Then in December came the news Canteen was cash-strapped and needed to close all regional offices.

The sudden loss of Gisborne’s Canteen office was described as a “massive loss” and “devastating” for the community.

Cancer survivors and families said a big part of the closure was losing Lianne.

She says she did not realise the work she had done until she finished in December and people contacted her to tell her about the difference she had made.

Lianne decided to take a break over summer doing some work in her role as a wedding celebrant and was just starting to think about her next steps when she was shoulder-tapped about the job leading the Gisborne East Coast Cancer Society.

The society supports people with cancer and their families/whanau.

It does work with health promotion and awareness, co-ordinates volunteers, provides transport to treatment, a breast prosthesis service and oncology massages. It also helps with emergency financial support where needed and cancer educational workshops and support groups.

“We are like a go-to shop for help with support for cancer.”

Supportive care co-ordinator Azure Hyde provides one-on-one support, advocacy and advice to patients and whanau who come to the society for support.

Other staff are Penny Clarke, volunteer co-ordinator, health promotion co-ordinator Roimata Mangu and Marie Rolls, the centre’s administrator.

The society is not government-funded and relies on the generosity of local bequests, fundraising, grants, business and community support. It is governed by an executive committee.

Lianne says she is really looking forward to working with the community again and other professionals to provide support in all aspects of the cancer service in this region.

“Early intervention, awareness, advocacy, support for whanau/ friends and even schools and workplaces needing support — that is why we are here .”