Our staff, volunteers and those impacted by cancer in the Peel region have come together to celebrate the five-year anniversary of Dot's Place Peel, a cancer support centre located in Greenfields.
Our Cancer Information and Support Services Director, Melanie Marsh, said it was thanks to the generosity of the Smith family that the centre was established.
"The development of a Peel Cancer Support Centre came about after Cancer Council WA was approached a second time by our very generous benefactors, Dorothy and Allan Smith, to invest in services for cancer patients and their families in regional WA," Ms Marsh said.
"Based on the success of the Dot's Place Bunbury, their goal was to establish a second centre in Mandurah that would provide a home-like atmosphere for cancer patients and their families to take respite from the clinical world of cancer.
"At that time there was a great need for increased services to the Peel region and our existing premises were not meeting the community's service delivery needs.
"Momentum and early discussion with local service providers garnered a great deal of support for increased Cancer Council WA services in the region.
"In addition, we received a positive response from the local council regarding the positive benefits to the community, so in 2017 we officially opened Dots Place Cancer Support Centre located in Greenfields."
The impact
Moving to a larger, fit for purpose premises at 34 Victoria Circle, has enabled us to continue our current programs in a more suitable environment and expand our service offerings to include exercise, yoga and meditation classes, cancer support group meetings, wig service, fundraising events, complementary therapy and transport to treatment.
Opportunities to expand services in any region are rare, so we are incredibly grateful to Dorothy and Allan for the opportunity this generosity has given us.
Dot's Place Peel is located close to cancer treatment centres but has a strong home-like, non-clinical environment with gardens, plenty of light and space that provides a warm and welcoming environment.
"The premises offers the quiet, homelike, peaceful surroundings required for our services which aim
to lessen the impact of cancer for our clients as well as raise awareness of the importance of cancer support and prevention in communities throughout regional WA," Ms Marsh said.
"Originally Dot's Place Peel was open to our clients three days a week, but we are pleased this has now increased to five days a week.
"The positive response from the local community, council and services providers has ensured the ongoing success of Dots Place Cancer Support Centre.
About Dot's Place Peel
Dot's Place Peel offers a range of services and programs aim to lessen the impact of cancer within the community. We also raise awareness of the importance of cancer support and prevention in regional WA.
Address: Dots place 34 Victoria Circle, Greenfields WA 6210
