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Residents of the Whitsundays who are living with cancer and navigating the scary and often confusing world of hospital appointments, scans and treatment, now have a free cancer service that comes right to their doors.
The Teal Angels are a team of two travelling registered nurses and one Mackay-based counsellor who operate as part of a broader charity, the Trudy Crowley Foundation.
These dedicated professionals provide a full range of free services from advice to basic check-ups, connecting you with other networks and of course being a friendly ear to listen.
Chris Giannangelo, Bec Snell and Rosie Stannard are all members of Trudy’s Teal Angels, helping people living with cancer in our region. Photo credit: Kate and Me Photography
The Trudy Crowley Foundation is a charity that began with one woman’s dream to provide the support and guidance that was not initially available to her when she received a cancer diagnosis.
Trudy Crowley was a brave and inspiring woman who was diagnosed with terminal ovarian cancer at the age of 47.
Instead of curling up in the corner and surrendering, she “put her big girl pants on” and decided to use this terrible diagnosis for good, determined to create change within the system.
Speaking in Parliament, Trudy stood up and raised the need for more dedicated ovarian cancer support.
She also began an iconic annual Mackay event which raised a significant amount of money to help those with cancer.
Sadly, Trudy passed away in 2018, but funds from the events have been used to transform the experience of a cancer diagnosis for many people in our region. Something Trudy would be very proud of today.
Initially beginning as a palliative, end of life service, the level of support has now been expanded to include everyone, both men and women and those living with any type of cancer, and at any stage of their journey.
The two registered nurses, Rosie Stannard and Chris Giannangelo, come to the Whitsundays every eight weeks to conduct home visits to anyone in the community who needs any level of cancer support.
Rosie has been part of the charity since its inception, having worked closely with Trudy and hand-selected by Trudy to be part of her legacy.
Rosie is a Mackay born and bred local who has been a nurse for almost 45 years. She began working in aged care and spent time helping with quadriplegics in Brisbane before discovering her true passion for palliative care.
Meanwhile, Chris has been with the foundation since March last year and a community nurse in Mackay for the past 45 years, moving into palliative care 10 years ago.
When it came time for her to begin retirement last year, she was approached by the Foundation and offered a part-time role.
These two inspiring nurses are based in Mackay and work closely with the Icon Cancer Centre to offer free support services.
They also operate the Trudy Crowley Foundation Centre, a dedicated facility located in Mackay City Centre.
Here you will find a comfortable lounge setting for support group meetings, a wig room and also a free counselling service for cancer patients and individual members of their families.
Bec Snell is the third member of the Teal Angels, offering counselling support to guide people through the emotional impacts, intense feelings, and the challenging mental struggle of a diagnosis.
Working in counselling for several years, Bec is passionate about empowering people through their individual experiences.
She can speak to cancer patients at the Mackay Centre or through a telehealth appointment.
All these services are completely free.
In addition to the regular visits and counselling support, the team are also keen to start a local Cancer Support group, with more details available soon.
Meanwhile, the Trudy Crowley Centre is located at Shop 6, 41 Gregory Street in Mackay and is open from 10am to 2pm from Monday to Thursday every week.
To book a home visit with the nurses, call Jacquie on 0407 900 716.
Registered nurse, Rosie Stannard, comforting a cancer patient. Photo supplied
Trudy Crowley, who passed away from ovarian cancer in 2018. Photo supplied
