Our Activities
We meet monthly over morning tea to share stories, information and experiences, in a welcoming environment for women from diverse cultural backgrounds. Based on the needs of the group, we aim to organise guest speakers and activities that will promote a healthy lifestyle and holistic health management strategies. The Sisters Cancer Support Group draws on the evidence of the “Essenc
e of Health” model of holistic care, which focuses on a wellness approach to living with cancer. This model promotes an educational, supportive and therapeutic approach to healing and empowerment. The elements of the ESSENCE model (advocated by Dr Craig Hassed, Monash University) is adapted for the Sisters' Cancer Support Group. The ESSENCE model is an acronym which stands for:
E - Education
We will provide quality education and information on the nature of cancer, its treatments and its prevention to empower women surviving cancer, and their carers and enable them to make informed healthy choices and living which will in turn promote healing and wellness. S - Support
We will provide a place and time where women and carers can meet to feel that their experiences are their own and to share with others who understand that they are not alone in their cancer journey and the importance of stress management
S - Spirituality
We honour and draw on the gifts of our spiritual life to empower us to live with grace and strength through the teachings and enlightenment of our faith. E - Exercise
We embrace the gift of our body to provide us with joy, health and release to manage pain and feel strong. We will engage in healthy physical activity that empowers our bodies to heal. N - Nutrition
We will provide advice and education on healthy foods that promote healing and wellbeing. We will provide education and information to choose healthy nutrition for ourselves and our families for cancer prevention and health. C - Connectedness
We will provide a place where women and their carers can feel supported, safe and engaged in a community that understand their cancer journey from diagnosis to recovery to be assured you are not alone. E - Environment
We will provide advice and practical support about the effects of environment on health- where we learn and share our knowledge of what is helpful and not helpful from the world around us to our health and wellbeing in our cancer journey.
