How generosity is changing cancer treatment

07 Aug 2024

At St Vincent's Private Hospital Werribee, we believe in providing our patients with the best possible care, not only for their medical needs but also for their emotional well-being.

Thanks to the love and support from guests who attended events held to raise funds for
St Vincent’s Werribee, we are thrilled to announce the purchase of a state-of-the-art scalp cooling system that will significantly enhance the treatment experience for our cancer patients.

Cancer treatment can be brutal. Many of us have known someone close to us who has been through chemotherapy (chemo). One of the side effects is the loss of hair and so often, our hair is linked to our identity. Losing it can impact a patient’s self-esteem and overall quality of life. It can act as a constant reminder of what they’re going through.

What is scalp cooling?
Scalp cooling is designed to minimise hair loss during chemo. The cooling system works by cooling the hair follicles to decrease the flow of chemo to the scalp.

Some patients have said keeping their hair helped them feel more like themselves during a challenging time. It helps with their self-esteem, and for women with young children, it wasn’t quite as frightening watching mummy go through the treatment.

Emma Saliba, General Manager and Director of Clinical Services at St Vincent's Private Hospital Werribee said, “Contributions from the Werribee community have made a profound impact. The scalp cooling program empowers patients to face treatment with confidence and dignity, knowing they have options that help preserve their sense of self.

“I want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to each donor who has contributed to this initiative. Your kindness and support are truly invaluable. By investing in this technology, you are not only improving the treatment experience for our patients but also showing them that they are not alone in their fight against cancer.”

The Werribee team is delighted to be able to offer scalp cooling therapy. Muhammad Tufail, Business Development Manager, St Vincent’s Private Hospital Werribee said, “The patients who have used the therapy have had an excellent experience so far. Getting access to this special system close to home is wonderful.”

A St Vincent’s Werribee patient shared her gratitude for the generous donation. "Thank you for doing such a noble thing by helping the hospital to purchase this machine.Women going through this type of treatment can feel very vulnerable. We want to feel as normal as possible and this is one of the things that helps us stay on track to feel normal.”

“Generosity is the heartbeat of the Werribee community. Your kindness and generosity have made a profound impact on our patients. We are deeply grateful for your unwavering support, thank you,” Emma said.

Join us in making a difference

Our commitment to compassionate care remains strong, and with your continued support, we can explore further advancements in treatment options that prioritise the well-being of our patients.

If you would like to support St Vincent's Hospital Werribee, click here to make a donation.

 

Contact

St Vincent's Foundation
Level 3, Suite 300
100 Victoria Parade
East Melbourne, Victoria 3002