Who ITT Supports
Bodman Cancer Centre Day Unit at the Children’s Hospital, Westmead:
(previously called the Oncology Treatment Centre - OTC)
The Bodman Cancer Centre for Children at The Children’s Hospital, Westmead is the largest comprehensive paediatric treatment centre in New South Wales and provides care to several hundred young patients with cancer and their families each year.
While the overall survival rate for childhood cancer is now over 80%, for some types of cancer the rate is much lower. There are some childhood cancers (like some brain tumours) for which there are no treatments and which are uniformly fatal. The Day Unit provides all aspects of outpatient care to young cancer patients and treatment options may include surgery, radiation therapy, intensive chemotherapy and immunotherapy protocols, stem cell transplantation, palliative care and all components of supportive care.
Since 1999 the Cancer Day Unit has been grateful for the support of ITT, who have provided fantastic murals, great distraction resources, toys and games, comfortable furniture and medical equipment including vital sign monitors, infusion pumps and treatment chairs.
In 2016 ITT supported the development of a Child Life Assistant position to co-ordinate and plan activities for the kids attending the Cancer Day Unit. This role helps create a comforting and fun environment to reduce anxiety and stress, making hospital visits as positive as possible. The therapist uses play, education, and emotional support tailored to each child’s individual needs. Activities include unique (and amazing!) play sessions, storytelling, multiple craft activities, theme days & lots more…
This role has had undeniable impact on the treatment journey of many patients in the Day Unit and ITT continues to focus on supporting and maintaining this vital position.
Josephine Community Aid:
JCA principally relied on the support of young people working on a voluntary basis, helping the poor and underprivileged, providing support and friendship to refugees and to people with mental health issues. Sadly, JCA closed in 2016 after 30 years of wonderful service to the community; all funds raised by ITT since then have been donated solely to OTC, now in its new home, the Bodman Cancer Centre Day Unit of the Children’s Hospital at Westmead