Thanks to funding provided by Treasure Chest, breast cancer patients have access to specialised care as part of an Echuca Regional Health collaboration.

Breast care nurse and Rochester resident Linda Rasmussen has 21 years of healthcare experience, specialising in surgical nursing and stomal therapy.

In her role, she dedicates one day each week to support 16 patients in Rochester and surrounds, and is committed to providing the best medical, emotional and practical support for her community.

“I am deeply grateful for the collaboration between Treasure Chest and Echuca Regional Health, which has enabled me to provide specialised breast cancer care to our community,” Mrs Rasmussen said.

“This partnership enhances access to high-quality, patient-centred cancer support, ensuring individuals receive dedicated care throughout every stage of their cancer journey.”

Treasure Chest was founded in 2006 by two-time breast cancer survivor Pratika Lal, who saw a gap in funding and support for breast cancer care in the public health system.

The charity established services such as Breast Reconstruction Awareness meetings, nipple tattooing, clinical psychology and purchasing specialised equipment.

“We’ve got the BRA program ... where volunteers get up and talk about their experience during the mastectomy treatment,” Treasure Chest chair Paige Quartermain said.

“We’ve funded three nurses to go over to the UK for nipple tattoo training, and we've created the first public tattooing clinic at Royal Women’s Hospital.

“We established a clinical psychologist position enabling mindful group therapy.

“We have purchased a Magseed Pro machine for Royal Melbourne Hospital last year, which helps localise breast lesions and lymph nodes that are undetectable by feel or by sight.”

Another key project is funding breast care nurse positions to provide specialised care to patients.

Echuca Regional Health director of nursing, Cancer and Wellness Centre, Lyn Jeffreson has welcomed the new position, as well as the partnership between the two organisations.

“The Treasure Chest team have been wonderful to work with in establishing the breast care nurse position,” she said.

“We look forward to continuing and strengthening our relationship.”

Ms Quartermain said the charity was proud to support the Rochester and surrounds community, also marking a new step in its history working with ERH.

She said a conversation with Lockington local Brad McEwan first prompted the charity to step into the region.

“When we did our function last year, my friend Brad McEwan — who was a Rochester boy — told me ... how much that region is still suffering,” Ms Quartermain said.

“We have just stepped outside of what we normally do with Royal Melbourne (and) Royal Women’s Hospital, so this is a first for us to support Echuca Regional Health.

“We chatted with Lyn, who is the director of nursing there ... and she said ‘we need more breast care nurses’, and I said, ‘fine, we’ll fund it’.

“We're very, very excited about it.”

Since stepping into the role on March 20, Ms Rasmussen’s services have been well-received, with many of her patients at the beginning of their breast cancer journey.

“She’s receiving new referrals and supporting women newly diagnosed, which is a key time to develop trust and rapport,” Ms Quartermain said.

“But also a key time where women will be experiencing a high burden of appointments, needing information, managing fears and co-ordinating care.”

To fund its specialised programs, Treasure Chest hosts events each year, including this year’s Spring Luncheon.

The fundraiser is set for Sunday, October 19 at the Crown Aviary in Melbourne, and will feature a fashion parade, raffle and auction.

Donations can be made throughout the year on the Treasure Chest website, and individuals or groups can host their own fundraising events to support its services.

To learn more about Treasure Chest, its events and how to donate, head to treasurechestcharity.org.au

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