Belinda Cooper Green speaks to her fellow Wild Orchids at the breast cancer support group’s April monthly meeting. Photos: Jordan Townrow.
Support, understanding and connection drive the Wild Orchids, a breast cancer support group based in Echuca.
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Meeting regularly for more than two decades, the Wild Orchids are on various stages of their journeys with breast cancer.
Their care for one another extends beyond their experience of the disease, finding strong friendships in the group.
“We don’t just focus on breast cancer, we are interested in anything and everything,” member Maryann Jenkins said.
“We are here if someone has a question... it’s so much easier to talk to somebody outside your family and somebody else who has been on part of the same journey as you, if not more.”
Member Susan Coad emphasised the value in having people to speak to who have a first-hand understanding of an experience like breast cancer.
She said these conversations were important to be had outside of only clinical environments.
“When you first get diagnosed, you get so much information thrown at you, and you’re linked in with so many people,” she said.
“It’s almost like you close down to a certain extent and try to absorb.
“So, having other people who have been on that journey, or you can say, ‘look I don’t understand this’, is hugely beneficial.
“It’s different to talking to a health professional.”
Important conversations can be around side-effects of medications or accessing health services.
Each person also has a unique experience with their disease and how their body responds to treatment.
“We’ve all been through the same disease,” group member Jeanette Peitty said.
“But we’re all made slightly different, so therefore we all have slightly different issues and ways the treatment affects us.”
The group members enjoy seeing each other regularly, at monthly meetings or weekly walks.
Every Monday at 9am, the Wild Orchids walking group meets at the old Echuca visitor centre, getting their steps up and having a chat.
On the last Thursday of each month, the group heads to the Caledonian Hotel for a catch-up, often with guest speakers featured.
At their April meeting, on Thursday, April 25, Wild Orchids member Belinda Cooper Green presented to the group.
Ms Cooper Green supports Backpacks 4 VIC Kids, a charity providing vulnerable young people with essential items.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
Ms Cooper Green works with Backpacks 4 VIC Kids, operating a drop-off point at her home in Rochester to support the charity.
Backpacks 4 VIC Kids provides vulnerable young people with access to necessities like clothing, toiletries, pyjamas, a blanket, torch and toy or activity.
They also create school-ready bags, dignity packs and Christmas bags.
While it can be confronting knowing where the essential items are going, Ms Cooper Green has supported the charity for about five years.
“It is satisfying, but also very sad,” she said.
“It’s a double-edged sword.”
Ms Cooper Green encouraged her Wild Orchids friends to contribute where they could, such as buying two of a product like toothpaste or pads when at the supermarket.
Other ways to help include knitting or crocheting items, including jumpers, blankets or teddies or keeping hotel amenities to donate.
The packs often go to family members of young people who assist in vulnerable situations, as well as organisations like Anglicare, the Orange Door or Njernda.
To learn more about Backpacks for VIC Kids, contact Belinda Cooper Green on 0479 114 275.
For queries on the Wild Orchids monthly meetings, contact Jeanette on 0417 317 893.
For the Monday walking group, Maryann can be reached on 0438 812 339.
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