*Please be aware that this episode discusses childhood cancer and cancer treatment.
Jac Cowan is a ball of energy! She loves a fun challenge and doesn't shy away from stepping out of her comfort zone.
Something that doesn't occur to a person when they meet Jac is that she is a cancer survivor. Of course Jac's past does not define her, but her experiences have set her on the path of living life to the fullest, which is what brought her to the Eyre Peninsula!
Since coming to our area of the world, Jac has joined a range of committees and loves to do her part to contribute to a thriving community.
'Lift', which was mentioned in this episode, is a healthcare facility in Adelaide providing evidence-based treatments to help people through their cancer experience with the very best outcomes. Their website can be found at www.liftcancercare.com.au
Jac's Podcast, 'Cancer Culture', can be found here!
If you are looking for support, Cancer Council 13 11 20 is a free, confidential telephone information and support service for cancer patients, people living with cancer, their families, carers and friends, teachers, students and healthcare professionals.
Trained staff are available to answer questions about cancer and offer emotional or practical support. They are open between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Cancer Council also provides online support through the Cancer Council Online Community, where you can ask questions and participate in groups, forums and blogs.
Please also be aware that if you are seeking cancer treatment, you can look into the Patient Assistance Transport Scheme (PATS), which is a subsidy program funded by the Government of South Australia.
Through PATS, subsidies are provided to assist South Australians who are required to travel more than 100km each way to access necessary and approved medical specialist services that are not available locally. Approved escorts are also eligible for PATS.
For more information about PATS or to find out if you are eligible for subsidies, please visit www.PATS.sa.gov.au
Another option, which many people are unaware of, is Angel Flight. Angel Flight is a charity which coordinates non-emergency flights to assist country people to access specialist medical treatment that would otherwise be unavailable to them because of vast distance and high travel costs. All flights are free and may involve travel to medical facilities anywhere in Australia. You can find their website at www.angelflight.org.au
If you are concerned about someone who is struggling and finding it difficult to see their way out of grief or mental challenges, then we highly recommend Question. Persuade. Refer. QPR training, which Emma and Lain talked about in the first episode of Season 1. You can access the training here. Type in the code CSA to take the training free of cost. This training is funded by Country SA PHN. We thank them for their support in the Suicide Prevention space- an area we believe is important to put energy towards.
We hope you enjoy this episode. Remember to subscribe so you don't miss any of the future MFEP+ME episodes!
*MFEP+ME is a project created within the program Mentally Fit EP (MFEP). MFEP aims to empower people to take charge of their lives and to build mentally fit, connected communities. We believe mental health is everyone's business!
Thank you to our NFP organisation, West Coast Youth and Community Support, for making MFEP a possibility! A rock star organisation with rock star staff!
A BIG thank you to the Cummins and Port Lincoln Community Banks for supporting Mentally Fit EP and this podcast through their grant programs. A special thank you to Elke Hill and Sally Bronca for choosing the MFEP+ME podcast as an important initiative that was worth investing their staff sponsorship in.
Helpline Numbers and EP Counselling services are pinned to the top of the Mentally Fit EP Facebook page
Lifeline 131 114
Regional Access 1300 032 186
Suicide Call Back 1300 659 467
