Meet our Cancer Support Coordinator, Peta

Peta Young is our friendly Cancer Support Coordinator at one of our two accommodation lodges – Milroy Lodge.

Our Cancer Support Coordinators are located both in metro and regional areas to help guide people through their cancer journey. They provide practical information, emotional support and can connect anyone affected by cancer to local services and support groups.

Read on to get to know Peta and her role as Cancer Support Coordinator.

Tell us a bit about yourself?

I have been a registered nurse for over 40 years, working both in Western Australia and overseas. Before joining Cancer Council WA, I worked in oncology units, operating rooms, intensive care units, community nursing and in chronic and acute pain. When I first joined the team here, I worked for the 13 11 20 cancer information and support line before becoming a Cancer Support Coordinator at Milroy Lodge.

What kind of services can you help people staying at our accommodation lodges with?

While I am a registered nurse, I do not provide any clinical nursing (if patients require nursing care, I can help organise this). I provide cancer information and support to regional people, and their carers who need to come and stay in Perth for cancer treatment. This includes emotional, practical and financial support, as well as referrals to other organisations.

What accommodation does Cancer Council WA offer?

Our two self-catering accommodation lodges in Perth offer a home-away-from-home for regional cancer patients and their carers. In the 2020/21 financial year 4,943 cancer patients and carers checked into our Crawford and Milroy Accommodation Lodges while they accessed treatments and appointments in the metro area.

Most of my guests come to Milroy Lodge alone, often having to leave family for long periods, knowing no one in Perth. We ensure our guests never feel alone, always there to provide information and support when needed.

Find out more information on our accommodation services webpage.

What do you love most about your role?

I love my work as I find it very satisfying to be able to support people face-to-face, in so many different ways.

What does an average day as a Cancer Support Coordinator look like?

My role is so varied, no one day is the same. Chiefly, I listen to the guest and gage their understanding of their cancer, their personal situation and learn how I can best support them. They might need referrals, help to organise appointments, finding out when surgery is or planning travel. I also talk to guests about their treatment, how to manage side effects, as well as the expectations they have on themselves.

How can people get in touch with you? Either staff who’d like to collaborate, or external clients who may be after support.

I work Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 8am – 4pm at Milroy Lodge. My office is near reception where guests can come and have a private conversation with me. I can be reached by phone on 08 9382 9346 or email at peta.young@cancerwa.asn.au.

For more information:

• You can find the closest Cancer Support Coordinator to you on our Contact Us page.
•  If you, or someone you know has been diagnosed with cancer, please visit our cancer information and support page to find out more information and support available to you.