11 November 2024
A new era for the Bathurst Prostate Cancer Support Group
Bathurst District Prostate Cancer Support Group convenors John and Pat Trollor will hand over the baton after 24 years of supporting men and families impacted by the disease.
The local couple are appealing to the community to help ensure the group continues, calling for someone to take up the reigns as leader of the support group.
The group, affiliated with Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA), meets at 5pm on the third Tuesday of every month at the Panthers Club on Piper St, providing an informal opportunity for men and their partners to access support after a diagnosis.
Dr Trollor said his time with the group had been an extremely rewarding experience.
“Being able to help blokes and their families when they are first diagnosed and often feeling bewildered has been a real highlight for me,” he said.
“Pat has also been involved right from the start supporting the partners. Through her work we’ve come to see just how invaluable the partner’s role is in recovery too.
“We hope that someone will put their hand up and continue to lead the group to ensure that local men will have access to ongoing support.”
Dr Trollor, who is also a prostate cancer survivor, first got involved with PCFA in 2000 when he formed the Tamworth Support Group after working as a Palliative Care Specialist. Four years later he moved to Bathurst and joined the local group.
In 2009, nine years after being a beacon of support for so many, he received his own prostate cancer diagnosis.
His diagnosis further fueled his passion to help men through the disease and raise vital awareness about the disease in the community.
“Education and information are very important and there is so much to be gained from talking to someone who has been down that road before,” he said.
“Whatever fears and anxiety you have tend to be reduced by sharing and hearing from other people on how they manage their diagnosis.”
To get involved with the Bathurst District Prostate Cancer Support Group and express your interest in leading the group, phone John Trollor on (02) 6337 2827.
Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia CEO Anne Savage thanked John and Pat on their exemplary service.
“John and Pat have made a profound contribution in the fight against prostate cancer, raising awareness and providing vital support to men and families in the local community,” Ms Savage said.
“They have always gone above and beyond that which would ordinarily be expected of a volunteer and their tireless advocacy has changed many lives for the better.
“When the burden is heavy and the conversations are tough, support groups are there to lighten the load and shine the light of hope.”
For more information and to find a local support group, call 1800 22 00 99 or go to www.prostate.org.au.
