In recent weeks our entire world has changed. Many of our routines are gone, many are working at home while juggling home school and trying to think of ways to entertain the kids (big and small). There is such a lot of fear about COVID-19 and the impact it is having on all our lives and systems like government, health, financial, small businesses and non-profits.
My family are doing our best to adapt our lives. Trying each day to figure out what is going to change and trying to find a way to keep an active 12 year old that is missing his school mates and favourite sports amused.
Here at Melanoma Patients Australia we have been working really hard to adapt our vital support services to this new and emerging health emergency and looking at the different ways that we can provide support to you, our amazing and diverse community of melanoma patients and carers.
It’s tough. Patients are scared and unsure of what medical services they can receive, or which clinical trials are still available, or if they can even see their doctor face-to-face. Carers are worried about their loved ones and many families are under great financial stress.
Rest assured that MPA is working hard to develop and share online resources relevant to our community. We are now offering an exciting new approach to face to face support groups. In these difficult times, it has become even more important that melanoma patients and their loved ones remain connected with others in a similar position. All of our support groups are now taking place via an online virtual meeting. It is hoped that more people living in outer metropolitan and rural/regional areas can now connect from the comfort and safety of their homes as well. To register please click on this link and one of the MPA team will be in touch.
https://melanomapatients.org.au/virtual-support-group/
Many of our existing support services are providing support for people safely at home such as the National Melanoma Support Line 1300 88 44 50, the Online Closed Facebook Support Group and the Metastatic Melanoma Telephone Support Group. Additional resources will be developed over the coming weeks and months to ensure that your questions are answered and that we can provide the best possible support in the safest way during 2020.
Please stay safe and reach out for support when you need it.
Best Wishes
Victoria Beedle
CEO, Melanoma Patients Australia
