Christina Line with volunteer drivers Henk Loohuys, Lorraine Slater, Paul Osenton and Joan Saunders and the new vehicle.
Camera IconChristina Line with volunteer drivers Henk Loohuys, Lorraine Slater, Paul Osenton and Joan Saunders and the new vehicle. Credit: Supplied/David Baylis         d446386

Transport service eases cancer patient woes in the eastern suburbs

Sally McGlewMidland Kalamunda Reporter

Jane Brook resident Thelma Randall, one of the patients using the service, said the bus had been a big help.

“I don’t like driving in the city and my daughter had been travelling up once a week to take me to chemotherapy from Collie,” she said.

“For my last session the bus was there and I was able to use it to get to Charles Gairdner Hospital, which was very helpful.

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“The drivers are lovely and very professional and they are always on time and hold the door open for you as well.

“Overall it was a tremendous help because you only have to get to Midland and they take you the rest of the way.”

Midland Cancer Centre’s Christina Line, who co-ordinates the service, said her clients had been able to access the service since September.

“The Midland transport to treatment service has been running since funds were donated from Dry July for a van to be purchased.”

Ms Line said the clients in her area were able to access support to treatment centres from Midland to Fiona Stanley Hospital and Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital.

“Recently we were able to assist a client who has lung cancer and is undergoing radiation therapy.

“He had also had suffered a stroke and so had some mobility issues and was not able to drive.

“To compound the issue, his wife has breast cancer with secondaries,” she said.

Ms Line said the woman was not dealing well with the side effects since her treatment, which made her feel unwell and not well enough to support or drive her husband.

Midland transport service has been able to help take them both to treatment as required and reduce the stress and anxiety that had been placed on the family, with various trips to the hospital for the couple, she said.

“We are so pleased that we are able to support clients in the Midland and Hills area and can see the positive affect that taking clients to their hospital treatments has on the client and their families,” Ms Line said.

The Midland Cancer Centre is based at Victoria Street in Midland and can assist local residents.