As Cancer After Care Group Geelong celebrates its 47th birthday this April, we are reminded of the incredible legacy this collective has built in our community - from humble beginnings in 1978, to multimillion dollar impact in 2024. Cancer After Care Group’s story began when a small group of devoted individuals set out to support cancer patients in Geelong by carpooling to Melbourne for cancer treatment.
For nearly five decades since, Cancer After Care Group has been at the forefront of improving cancer care in Geelong, and in the process has raised over $4 million to fund vital medical equipment and services for Barwon Health. But perhaps its most significant achievement came in 1992, after 14 years of relentless Government lobbying and advocacy. Their hard work led to the opening of Barwon Health’s Andrew Love Cancer Centre - Geelong’s first comprehensive cancer treatment facility. This was a game-changer for our region, bringing world-class care closer to home for thousands of patients.
Libby Bate, president of the Cancer After Care Group, has been at the heart of this remarkable story. Taking on a leadership role in 2009, Libby’s passion and commitment have helped shape the organisation into the lifeline it is today. As she reflects on the group’s legacy, Libby is filled with pride, but also a sense of continued responsibility.
“When the group started, our goal was simple; to ensure that cancer patients in Geelong had access to the care they needed, without the burden of long-distance travel. Today, looking back at what we’ve achieved, it’s incredible to see how far we’ve come,” says Libby. “But we’re not done yet. The need for support, for compassion, for funding, is as great as ever.”
The Cancer After Care Group has remained a cornerstone of Geelong’s cancer care community. Its volunteers, who have been with the group since its early days, continue to give their time, energy, and love to support local patients. They’ve also funded countless pieces of essential medical equipment and supported programs that offer comfort and care to those navigating a cancer experience.
Libby and her community of passionate volunteers have ensured that Geelong’s cancer patients continue to receive care of the highest standard. "The work we do today builds on a foundation of compassion, persistence, and community," Libby explains. "The Andrew Love Cancer Centre was just the beginning, and we will always strive to make sure our community’s needs are met."
Cancer After Care Group’s legacy is not just in the services it has brought to Geelong, but in the lives it has touched. As they celebrate 47 years of service, one thing remains clear - their commitment to improving cancer care in Geelong is as strong as ever, and their legacy will continue to impact loved ones fighting cancer for generations to come.
This is legacy - a legacy that has saved and touched more lives than we will ever know.
Zoe Waters
Executive Director
Barwon Health Foundation
