Lung Foundation Australia is delighted to announce the success of Giving Day 2024! Thanks to the incredible support from our community, we raised an impressive $151,685. Funds raised will go towards our much-needed telephone nurse service, supporting people living with lung cancer and lung disease around Australia.
In 2023, our telephone nurse service provided vital support and guidance to 792 individuals impacted by lung cancer and lung disease. One in four men, women and children across Australia will be impacted by a lung disease in their lifetime. Care from our experienced nurses is essential. It helps patients and families to understand and thus better manage their condition, reduce hospital admissions and improves mental wellbeing. As a result, expansion of this service is essential to the ongoing support of Australians and their lung health battles.
The importance of the Respiratory Care Nurse
Lung Foundation Australia’s Respiratory Care Nurse provides free telephone-based support for people living with COPD and bronchiectasis.
“Our telephone-based Respiratory Nurse Care service is really comprehensive program of personally tailored information and education. We have the opportunity to speak to people several times over a number of months. This enables the nurses to gather a detailed understanding of the person’s medical history, current symptoms and management. Furthermore, we can offer individualised self-management education according to the evidence-based guidelines. It’s very rewarding to hear how people gain confidence to manage their condition with some extra support,” said Amanda, Lung Foundation Australia Respiratory Nurse.
Aimed to empower people to work with their healthcare team, through connection with a confidential support service. Lung Foundation Australia’s Respiratory Care Nurse service offers support to one of the highest health burdens in Australia. Our nurses provide evidence-based information and support around diagnosis, treatment, symptom management and wellbeing. Furthermore, they can provide guidance around relevant support services.
“In the Respiratory Care Nurse service, we have the luxury of time to address living with a lung condition holistically. We discuss all aspects of management and work with the person to confidently engage with their treating healthcare team. So, to live as well as possible with their lung condition,” adds Amanda.
The benefits of the Lung Cancer Support Nurse
Lung Foundation Australia’s Lung Cancer Support Nurse, Julie, has over 20 years’ experience. Her experience in oncology, haematology, lung cancer and palliative care provides her with the expertise to offer comprehensive support to patients, family members and carers.
“I was drawn to this role at Lung Foundation Australia. Previously I was working with lung cancer clinical trials. I was also interested in the one-on-one conversations that I could have. And being that support network for them,” said Julie.
Australians living with and impacted by lung cancer face unique circumstances. The free Lung Cancer Support Nurse service offers support to patients, carers and family members.
“It’s very overwhelming for people diagnosed with lung cancer. Being able to speak with the Lung Cancer Support Nurse offers additional reassurance. They may face significant symptom burden and we are able to discuss practical strategies for management and identify when they need to be engaging with their treating healthcare team,” said Julie.
Mental health and emotional wellbeing are important aspects to be addressed when living with lung cancer. Lung Foundation Australia offers great suite of digital resources called Mind Matters. It also features a series of guided mindfulness practices that don’t focus on breathing. Additionally they help across all areas of life, to be present and reduce feelings of anxiety and heightened emotions,” says Julie.
Our nurses work daily with Australians through some of their most vulnerable moments. However, their dedication to their role and to helping those in need of vital lung health care, shines.
“My favourite part of the role is building relationships. And I can see them become quite confident, empowered as they progress through the program. I am very privileged to be part of the service and able to support people living with lung cancer,” adds Julie.
Thank you!
Our annual Giving Day is a chance for the Lung Foundation Australia community to rally together to raise essential funds for our services. On Thursday 22nd February 2024, for one day only every donation was matched $ for $ by our generous major donors to support our vital telephone nurse support service. We set an ambitious goal to raise $150,000 in 24 hours and our generous community were quick to take advantage of the opportunity to double the impact of their gifts.
Lung Foundation Australia would like to thank everyone every single person who donated and helped to spread the word about Giving Day. The success of the campaign means more Australians in need can access the invaluable assistance provided by our dedicated nurses.
I’d like to thank everybody who showed their support on Giving Day. Your kind donations will have twice the impact and help twice as many people access our nurse’s service,” says Julie.
Your donations directly empower our hero nurses to continue their crucial work, supporting individuals on their lung health journey every step of the way. Thank you for making a real difference in the lives of those affected by lung disease and lung cancer you are all life changers.
“I’d like to thank everybody who showed their support on Giving Day. Your kind donations will have twice the impact and help twice as many people access our nurse’s service,” says Julie.