For Eva Driver, joining the McGrath cancer care team means she can provide more extensive and ongoing support to people navigating cancer.
“For many cancer patients, this is the most challenging time in a person’s life. We aim to make it just that little bit easier,” Ms Driver said.
Ms Driver, who is employed by GV Health in the McGrath Cancer Care Nurse role, has spent 20 years working in cancer care, specialising in blood cancers including leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma.
She said she decided to join the McGrath nursing team after working alongside McGrath nurses and seeing first-hand the impact they had on patients and families.
“Being a McGrath Cancer Care Nurse means I can be a consistent point of contact for patients and families — whether that’s helping manage symptoms at home, connecting them with support services, co-ordinating care between health services, or simply being there to listen.”
Ms Driver said every cancer journey was different and having the ability to provide free, tailored support was particularly important in regional communities.
“Regional care can come with extra challenges. Although the Peter Copulos Cancer and Wellness Centre continues to grow, lots of treatment still has to happen in Melbourne,” she said.
“Travel comes with financial pressures and lack of support and it can be confusing to receive treatment across different places — you might not always know where to turn.
“But with McGrath Cancer Care Nurses, you always know where you can turn.”
Ms Driver is going the extra mile by taking part in the 5km event at the Shepparton Running Festival as part of GV Health Foundation’s I Care for Cancer Care @ GV Health’s fundraising appeal.
The appeal aims to support efforts to secure a new fully integrated cancer centre at GV Health which would mean more support and less travel for locals diagnosed with cancer.
Ms Driver has now been in the role for six months and said she enjoys giving back to the community that has given her so much since she relocated here five years ago.
“It’s really rewarding to get to know patients and their families and hopefully ease the burden a little bit.”
McGrath Foundation chief executive Ryan Barlow said McGrath nurses played an important role in providing clinical, psychosocial and emotional support to people throughout their treatment.
“Access to consistent equitable cancer care — no matter the postcode — is fundamental to our purpose,” he said.
“This new role ensures more people and families in Shepparton can access expert support for blood cancer locally.”
McGrath Foundation nursing care is completely free. Patients can be referred by their healthcare team or can self-refer online through the McGrath Foundation at mcgrathfoundation.com.au/get-support/find-a-nurse
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