Two-time Brisbane pancreatic cancer survivor, Rose Graham, never thought she would one day find herself receiving lifesaving care within the walls of her workplace.
The 73-year-old Mater volunteer had been volunteering in the South Brisbane Mater Cancer Care Centre when she received the “shock” news that she had a lemon-sized tumour in her pancreas.
Mrs Graham (pictured) began volunteering at Mater 15 years ago, providing hand and feet massages to oncology patients, and was inspired by the patients she had helped previously to win her own battle against cancer.
Under the care of Mater Private Hospital Brisbane oncologist Dr Vikram Jain, Mrs Graham underwent several rounds of intensive chemotherapy at the Mater Cancer Care Centre in 2019.
Her chemotherapy was followed by major surgery – known as a Whipple procedure – to remove the cancerous tumour from her pancreas, performed by Mater Private Hospital Brisbane surgeon Dr Mehan Siriwardhane.
Shining a spotlight on National Volunteer Week (20-26 May), Mrs Graham said that volunteering at Mater was a “very fulfilling” way of being able to support other patients.
“I don’t often tell patients what I have been through, I focus on supporting and helping them to take their minds off their treatment,” she said.
“There’s something special about giving someone a massage, it’s an energy from one person to another, and it feels good.
“A lot of cancer patients get neuropathy, which is numbness and tingling in their feet, and the perfect time for a massage is while they have treatment.”
Last year routine scans revealed Mrs Graham’s cancer had returned – but she was still as determined to survive.
“Doctors had told me pancreatic cancer was one of the worst types of cancers you could get and this cancer can spread like a seed of a flower,” the Alderley resident said.
Mrs Graham underwent three weeks of radiation. Earlier this year doctors told her she had defied the odds and Mrs Graham currently has no signs of cancer.
According to the Cancer Council, more than 4,500 people were diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2023. Pancreatic cancer is the eighth most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia, and it is estimated that one in 70 people will be diagnosed by the time they are 85.
Mrs Graham said her cancer diagnosis had been “quite a journey”, but having volunteered at the Cancer Care Centre made her feel more comfortable about her treatment there.
“When I was well enough and ready to return to volunteering, at first I wasn’t sure if I could handle it, but when I walked through the doors, I just knew in my heart this is exactly where I should be,” she smiled.
Mater Volunteers Senior Manager Judy Johnson said Mrs Graham has a “deep empathy” for cancer patients having survived cancer herself.
“As a hand and feet massage volunteer, she provides companionship and comfort,” Ms Johnson said.
“Patients say the massage makes the long hours easier to bear and helps with stress and anxiety. Rose arrives with a smile and leaves with an even bigger one.”
To find out more about volunteering at Mater phone 3163 8599, email volunteers@mater.org.au or visit www.mater.org.au/group/careers/volunteering.
