Cancer patient Carolanne Leach has received world-class care and treatment thanks to Gold Coast Hospital Foundation.
We help Gold Coast cancer patients get to and from public cancer facilities each and every time they need us, thanks to community support.
Carolanne is one of almost 1500 patients battling cancer on the Gold Coast who need your support today.
Carolanne learnt she had cancer after many false alarms on other health issues.
“I thought I had a bad case of gastro and felt like I was having gastro bug after gastro bug but then my bones started feeling really sore,” she said.
“I used to walk every morning but I found I couldn’t get out of the house so my daughter-in-law told me to go to the doctor and I was sent for a whole body scan.”
Carolanne’s shock diagnosis of Multiple Myeloma Stage 3 meant she started chemotherapy at Gold Coast University Hospital within the week.
“My daughter-in-law was in the GCUH maternity ward and baby Riley was born the week of my diagnosis,” she said.
“I had a stem cell transplant and it worked for about 15 months before it came back. I’m now on chemotherapy at home pills.”
Carolanne does not own a car and found she was struggling getting to hospital for her appointments early on after her diagnosis.
“I was too sick to use public transport – that would require three buses to get to hospital. I can’t afford a regular taxi. My children would bring me when they could, but they all work, and I felt bad asking them so often,” Carolanne said.
She let hospital staff know she was struggling and may have to miss certain appointments and it was then she was connected with the Foundation to register her for the Cancer Patient Transport Service.
“For me, it’s not just treatment; it is scans, appointments, tests and then hospital admissions when things go wrong,” Carolanne said.
“I’m so thankful being able to use [the Cancer Patient Transport Service], I never have to worry knowing I can book in with the service and get to hospital, and home again, safely.
“The volunteer drivers are also a huge help getting me from home, right into the hospital.
“Without it, we’d all be lost.”
During the COVID-19 restrictions, Carolanne has been able to take advantage of some Telehealth appointments with Gold Coast University Hospital, however, her recent complications meant she still needed to get to hospital.
We need your help today to continue helping patients like Carolanne get to hospital whenever they need it.
“Carol is the heart of our family ” – Jess, daughter-in-law
Carol went into hospital and was diagnosed the day before I gave birth to Riley. We ended up being in hospital at the same time.
I remember the day I took her to hospital I was overdue (and very pregnant) and we both waddled inside and both struggled to carry her hospital bag.
Gold Coast Hospital Foundation has been so great in helping Carol and we are all so thankful.
Carol is the heart of the family and she is such a wonderful, kind and caring person and the absolute best mother-in-law and Nanny.
Through all that she has been through, she still remains so strong and caring to others, which is a true attribute to her character.