A CANCER diagnosis for a staff member at Ferrers Medical Clinic has prompted her coworkers to pool funds and donate to the Mount Gambier Breast Cancer Awareness Group.
In early September, Kirryn Coscarelli was diagnosed with breast cancer with metastases in her spine.
She had been healthy with no other significant medical conditions and had no symptoms except infrequent back pain.
A valued member of the nursing team at Ferrers Medical Clinic, Ms Coscarelli stopped work before her diagnosis.
“Her bubbly nature is certainly missed in our treatment rooms,” fellow nurse Krystal Owen said.
Both Ms Owen and Caitlan Zukauskas, another member of the nursing team, approached Ms Coscarelli and asked what they could do to help.
“As a workplace, we wanted to do something for Kirryn and her family to show our support through her journey,” Ms Owen said.
“After several discussions with Kirryn it was agreed that at our staff Christmas party we would all make a small donation towards a local breast cancer organisation.
“The partners at Ferrers Medical Clinic made additional contributions to bring the amount raised by the clinic to $410.”
The money raised was donated to the Mount Gambier Breast Cancer Awareness Group to contribute to the Helping Handbags initiative.
“The group provide handbags to all new breast cancer sufferers through the cancer care nurses at community health,” Ms Owen said.
“The Helping Handbag consists of vouchers for essential items for everyday living plus loads of information.
“Kirryn has found this bag very useful and would like others to be able to access this.”
Breast Cancer Awareness Group committee member Maxine Tuffnell said the donation would help the group reach out to many more locals diagnosed with breast cancer.
Ms Coscarelli praised staff at the chemotherapy and oncology units at the Mount Gambier Hospital for the fantastic ongoing care she has received.
“They have provided not just a service, but given me support, general chats and happy faces while receiving treatment on a weekly rotation,” Ms Coscarelli said.
“We are so lucky to have these services available locally – it reduces additional financial pressure and the need to have families separated during the treatment process and especially the travelling involved.
“The nurses who work at the community health service in the cancer care unit have gone above and beyond and have made my treatment as easy and stress free as possible.”
