TSB Cancer Support Centre

71 Lorna Street

PO Box 5153

Westown, New Plymouth 4343

Tel: (06) 757 3006
Fax: (06) 757 8795

Map of Taranaki Centre Office                                                                     

Click to view our Facebook page

Staff:

Centre Manager, Meg Rodel - Email                                              

Community Health Advisor, Tessa Delport - Email

Supportive Care Coordinator, Janine Luke-Taamaru - Email

Finance Coordinator, Shelley Scott - Email

Events and Volunteer Coordinator, Melissa Callaghan - Email

Administrator, Valda McBeth - Email

Shuttle Driver, Leo Clements - Email/Contact Number - 027 499 5293

Who we are

The Cancer Society of NZ Taranaki Centre Inc. is an incorporated society with charitable status. We are a member of the Central Districts Division. We are a not-for-profit organisation funded by caring New Zealanders.  Our federated structure includes a Cancer Society of New Zealand National Office in Wellington, six divisions and 15 centres throughout New Zealand, all involved in raising funds and providing local services.

How We Operate

 We are a charity and many people are surprised to learn we rely on the generosity of our caring local businesses and the community for donations (tax deductible), community fundraising, sponsorship, bequests and volunteer support to run our services.

Volunteers are the backbone of our Centre and organisation. Our Centre is governed by a volunteer Executive Committee of up to 12 members elected at the Annual General Meeting in July. We have around 40 supportive care volunteers who are trained to support cancer patients, run support groups and deliver programmes. In addition we have many other volunteers that help with fundraising, special events, administration, and general maintenance. There are six part-time staff based in the Taranaki Centre. Staff is here to look after the day-to-day operations of the Centre, drive the shuttle to Palmerston North, co-ordinate health promotion programmes, coordinate fundraising/special events, supportive care services and support our volunteers.

What we do

Cancer is now the leading cause of death in New Zealand. As we grow older the likelihood of developing cancer increases. Each year in Taranaki there are over 600 people diagnosed with cancer.  Every day at the Cancer Society we help all people with any cancer, their families, whānau and friends to deal with a cancer diagnosis. We advocate for cancer patients, providing a voice on all kinds of issues including cancer prevention, screening, early detection and treatment. We support people during treatment and to get them well again.  We do this through the wide range of core services in supportive care, information and local support groups and connecting people online. We develop and run community health promotion and cancer prevention programmes to keep people well.

Supportive care

We provide a range of FREE support services for people with cancer and their family/caregivers. We help get people through their cancer diagnosis.

• General cancer support visiting service & carer relief 
• Women’s support service & support groups (North & South Taranaki)
• General men’s cancer support group
• CanTALK lunches - (North & South Taranaki) 
• ‘Prostate Awareness is a Life Saver’ (PALS) group
• Transport  – including twice weekly shuttle service to Palmerston North and volunteer drivers within Taranaki
• Living Well with Cancer education
• Host and support “Look Good Feel Better”
•  Support volunteer training
• One-on-one support, patient advocacy & advice
• Emergency financial assistance via grants
• Complementary therapy – reiki, oncology massage, and yoga
• A listening ear for patients, caregivers, whānau and family members
• Hat, books and wig library
• Creative Classes and
• Counselling

Community Health Development – we help keep people well

We encourage people to live a healthier lifestyle to reduce their personal risk of cancer. We do this through effective health promotion - education, advocacy, policy and communication on the following topics,

• Tobacco Control
• Skin Cancer Prevention including SunSmart schools accreditation programme and sun protection equipment loan for summer events
• Nutrition and Physical Activity
• Screening and Early Detection 
• Men's Health - “Get the Tools”