Under the wings of uplifted

38-year-old Clontarf resident, Patricia West was having a shower when she felt a lump under her armpit; after a screen and biopsy she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had a radical mastectomy followed by four months of chemotherapy at Redcliffe Hospital and was then told she would need radiation therapy. The months of treatment had taken its toll, so when Patricia had to face even more treatment everything just started to feel overwhelming.

Due to her cancer diagnosis Patricia decided to stop her casual job and with only her partner, Shane bringing in income, their financial situation became yet another concern.

Dreading the notion of having to travel to Brisbane city every day for her radiation, Patricia was grateful she could receive her radiation treatment 20 minutes from home at the Icon Cancer Centre in North Lakes.

Be Uplifted got in contact with Patricia and a few phone calls later they organised to pay for her car registration.

“They were so great and easy to talk to. The ease of them paying for our car registration was amazing, it completely took the weight off my shoulders. When you have cancer you get so many people asking you whether you need anything, but it’s sometimes help that isn’t useful, it’s that practical support that makes all the difference,” Patricia said.

Be Uplifted Co-Founder and President Wendy Paterson has a very hands on approach to the charity and works closely with their volunteers and patients.

“We are a small charity led with a spirit of compassion and kindness. We never turn down a local breast cancer patient seeking assistance and we offer a range of services including financial assistance, counselling, house cleaning, food delivery, hairdressing services, providing breast cancer resources and much more,” Wendy said.