Supporting patients on their cancer journey.

Tanya Carnemolla has loved dancing all her life.

But at nearly 55 years old, the dance teacher’s passions took a backseat to a metastatic breast cancer diagnosis in February, with treatment starting a month later.

“As a dance teacher, I’ve accumulated a lot of high-load injuries,” Tanya said. “Plus, also the chemotherapy, there are a few joint aches and a few things that are very prevalent for me.”

As part of her treatment plan, her oncologist referred her to the Sydney Cancer Survivorship Centre gym to help in her rehabilitation, particularly with a rotator cuff injury and other upper body exercises that would not usually be addressed through teaching dance.

“One of the reasons I do it is because I actually want to feel stronger through my chemotherapy, and I want to feel empowered,” Tanya said.

Established in 2013, the Sydney Survivorship Centre at Concord Hospital is the only free-of-charge centre of its type in New South Wales.

It is a place where cancer survivors have access to a dedicated team to support their individual needs, and the needs of their families, following a cancer diagnosis.

At the centre, patients can access evidence-based exercise interventions from diagnosis to treatment and through to survivorship.

“It is a space to come where patients feel safe and have some guidance to exercise safely and effectively,” Exercise Physiologist Eliza Rose Macdonald said.

The team help patients manage treatment-related side effects, improve their physical function and wellbeing and help prevent any long-term or persisting adverse effects of their cancer and treatment.

“A lot of patients are delighted to have access to this service, particularly at a time when they are faced with a lot of other challenges, including financial,” Eliza said.

The Step Up for Cancer Survivorship fundraiser helps to relieve the burden on patients by sponsoring the Centre’s free programs.

All funds raised through the fundraiser go towards providing courses such as yoga, pilates, music, art therapy and exercise programs.

This year District Chief Executive Dr Teresa Anderson and her dog Katie will be joining the challenge to consistently do physical activity throughout the month of June.

“Supporting our cancer patients with these services is vital to delivering exceptional care in our District. I encourage as many people as possible to take part and help support our cancer patients,” she said.

Register or make a tax-deductible donation towards other people’s efforts at www.stepupforcancersurvivorship.org.au