IT would be nice if COVID-19 gave people in the local area a rest from cancer.
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However, not even a worldwide pandemic gives cancer sufferers a rest.
Luckily a local group is still doing what it can to help people face this disease.
The Milton Ulladulla Community Cancer Services Centre is supported by a wonderful group of volunteers.
Their aim is to raise funds for the centre and to help people facing cancer in any way they can.
However, COVID-19 has hit the group's fundraising activities hard.
Fundraising coordinator, Julie Sinclair, explains what the group is all about.
"The centre is purely community funded and the cancer clinic was built by the community," she said.
"We still have to raise funds to support, maintain and pay for everything in the centre, except for the staff."
The group needs to have around $20,000 a year to make sure the clinic keeps going.
Costs include training for nurses and volunteers, lawn mowing, transport costs, insurance, food and other expenses.
The group recently bought the clinic four chemotherapy treatment chairs.
It might surprise people to know just what the volunteers do to keep the centre, which is located next to the Milton Hospital, going.
"That is the trouble - the community thinks it's all over when it comes to the need to raise funds. A lot of people don't realise we have to keep maintaining it," Mrs Sinclair said.
"It's not hard work but it's consistent and of course the fundraising for this year has gone away like everything else."
Group president, Peter Still, said they needed to let the community know the group's role was an ongoing one.
Peter said without the group's fundraising efforts, the provision of badly needed equipment may take longer to get.
They even support people who are housebound with lung conditions, for example.
"Our float is shrinking at the moment because we are not raising any money," Mr Still said.
"We are relying on donations and we fully understand things are hard for people at the moment in this area.
"We have had the bushfires and now we have COVID-19 and not only are the community people, who are so generous to us, struggling but businesses as well."
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Peter said they had cut back on some of the things they would normally do.
The group won't be making any big purchases this year but will be focused on transport, training, the wig library and other projects.
"These are very important to the person receiving chemotherapy or palliative care - we are still trying to keep on going," Mr Still said.
The local clinic means people don't have to travel to get treatment.
Mrs Sinclair added cancer does not stop and nor will they.
Mr Still said they are grateful for any donation they receive.
"It's just wonderful," Mr Still said about the donations they receive.
"On occasions, I will get a call from the cancer centre and they will say there has been a cheque left with them from someone who has been in for treatment.
"It might be a cheque or a cash donation of $20 and you know that is about all that person could really afford or more than what they could afford.
"The group has a golf day pencilled in for September and another big fundraiser is a Melbourne Cup event in November."
They are hopeful both will run as planned but possibly on a smaller scale.
The fundraising coordinator knows only too well what it's like to have cancer.
"I was one of the first people to go through treatment in the new centre," the breast cancer survivor said.
Peter has no regrets about becoming a volunteer and loves seeing the important role the group plays in the community.
The group is always looking for more volunteers to join.
Email Peter at acaciahouse@bigpond.com or go to www.canceroutpatientsappeal.org.au/ if you want to donate or become a volunteer.
"We are still out there - don't forget us," Julie concluded.
