“Sydney Adventist Hospital stands out the way it has consciously managed to integrate supportive care and clinical services and community outreach...it provides exemplary care and is generally regarded as best practice...it is held in very high regard.”
Dr Andrew Penman, CEO Cancer Council NSW
“I know as the local member of Parliament for Ku-ring-gai what a big impact on the local community...support for the SAH Foundation has. The San is an important part of the community I represent. What impresses me is the way the non government sector like the San is able to be innovative with limited funds and stretch the health dollar further. Thanks for helping them achieve this. ”
Barry O’Farrell
State Member for Ku-ring-gai, Leader NSW Opposition
“I was diagnosed with cancer 5 years ago. Approximately 2 years after completing treatment I felt as if I had reached a 'brick wall' – I was still struggling to return to my pre-cancer life, a range of physical and emotional issues were still impacting on me, and I felt at my wits end to know what to do and where to turn. Luckily I remembered seeing a flyer on the wall of the local library about the Cancer Support Centre – and I decided to give them a call...the support and assistance I received from the wonderful people at the Centre helped me in so many ways – they provided a safe place (through counselling and support groups) for me to speak of things I had been bottling up inside for 2 years, they suggested books and tapes to read and watch which helped me make sense of my situation, and provided me with the inspiration to look at my life anew. I met other cancer-journey people and shared stories, tears and laughter. I felt understood, less alone, and much better able to look forward to creating a life for myself that would not be the same as my life before cancer – but could still be worthwhile and full filling. My life is now more content and fulfilled than before cancer.
I now do some voluntary work at the Centre because I know how beneficial it was to me, and I see so many other people gaining so much comfort and support through participating in the wide range of services and support that the Centre offers. I “survived” cancer. Many of the people who visit the Centre do not, but I know their lives have been positively enriched by their involvement with the Centre. The caring and hardworking staff and large team of volunteers have created a place and a “space” for so many people to be nurtured and dare I say, “loved”. Any one is welcome – they do not have to have been a patient at the hospital. As far as I know, there is nowhere else in Sydney, NSW and perhaps Australia that provides such an integrated and freely available service.”
Jane Ewins
San Cancer Support Centre Volunteer
“As a cancer survivor and carer and now volunteers within the Cancer Support Centre based at Jacaranda Lodge, David and I believe the Cancer Support Centre at Jacaranda Lodge sets the standard for other support groups within the prostate cancer world...The Cancer Support Centre is available to anyone on their particular cancer journey, even if a patient is not receiving treatment at the hospital...we began leading the Prostate Cancer Support Group at Jacaranda Lodge in July 2000. Our format is to hold meetings twice a month where we invite high profile medical professionals to speak on various aspects of prostate cancer. They voluntarily offer their services and their talks are of the highest calibre”.
Pam Sandoe OAM
David Sandoe OAM
“As a panel member sharing my own experience, I know how the San’s Lung Cancer Forums encourage and inspire. It’s a great opportunity, and I’m living proof, to show that despite the miserable statistics, self belief, confidence and dreams, are essential.”
Mr John Fahey
Panellist San Lung Cancer Forum, Former NSW Premier
“I’ve been coming to Jacaranda Lodge (at the San) since 1996. I had been diagnosed with prostate cancer not long after my wife died – I think it was the shock that bought it on – and I had to have radiation so I was here at the Lodge for 6-7 weeks. Since then whenever I need medical treatment, whether at the San or elsewhere in Sydney I come back here for accommodation year after year...you’re among friends, you’re treated like royalty, its economical...a lot of people get terrified of what’s happening to them – the fact that here we can talk to other patients, get advice…I’ve told all the people on Norfolk Island...it’s the best place to go...the main things in life are love, care, and concern – you get all of it here at Jacaranda Lodge.”
John Forrester
Norfolk Island
“To all the staff in the ICU at the Sydney Adventist Hospital we, the Johnson family, would like to say thank you for saving David’s life. As is to be expected, David remembers little of his time in your unit, but Jesse, Katie and I most certainly remember it all.
From the moment he arrived in the ambulance, you all showed the utmost compassion, understanding and dedication, to say nothing of your professional expertise in working as a team to restore our husband and father to us. We are all immensely grateful. David and I have been married for twenty eight years and I love and cherish him now as much as I did when me were first wed. He has been a most wonderful father to both Kate and Jesse and is an extremely valued manager at St Vincent de Paul. Had he died, we would all have been devastated. In fact, I seriously doubt that I would ever have recovered. David’s sudden catastrophic illness was indeed like a bolt out of the blue to us and an incredible shock. What is to you wonderful people, normal and day to day, was for us an utter disaster. We were told some pretty blunt facts and statistics and it all seemed very grim and we were left but feint tendrils of hope that our beloved Dave would ever recover. We were faced with the raw realization that even if he recovered from the massive cardiac arrest and subsequent renal and liver failure and their attendant problems, he might well have suffered massive, or at least significant neurological damage. Mercifully, this has not proved to be the case. David is 100% his normal, quirky self, neurologically, that is, much to our utter relief. We understand that he has thus far made an incredible recovery on all the other fronts and we pray that he will continue to improve on an exponential scale.
Again, thank you all for your wonderful care and for giving David and our family another chance. We all realise that major changes will have to take place to ensure his and our ongoing health and will most certainly put into place these things. No longer will these health warnings be some obscure, nebulous statistics that pertain to even lesser unknown others. They pertain to us…and each of us has to take responsibility for our choices and lifestyles. This fact has been brought savagely home to us all very suddenly and we most certainly have taken heed. May you all continue in the life saving work you do and I only wish that all families that are affected as ours have been, could have the same miraculous result. May God bless you all.”
Allyson Johnson
“Having a sleep study done at the San's Children's Sleep Disorders Unit has changed my family's life. William had always been a relatively placid well-behaved, though active little boy. Then suddenly there was a dramatic change...The (sleep study) results allowed us to understand why he was experiencing these problems and therefore enabled us to do something about them. William hadn't been getting the deep sleep he needed and this was causing his behavioural problems. The results revealed he suffered from sleep apnoea - he would stop breathing for 20 seconds at a time. His oxygen levels would fall down to 74% before climbing again and he was waking more than 41 times an hour. He went on CPAP for six nights to try to open his airways, increase his oxygen levels, decrease his carbon dioxide levels, and reignite his brains' respiratory sensors. The CPAP was successful and William had an uncomplicated surgery to remove his tonsils. There was a dramatic improvement in his behaviour and his speech straight away”.
Julia Wright
“When my husband had his heart attack we came straight to the San where he had a stent implanted immediately into a blocked coronary artery. It is such a relief to know that the doctors at the San can shut down a heart attack in progress within a short time of arrival. I am thrilled the San has introduced a new imaging system that will increase the accuracy and safety of the procedures. It could save or improve the quality of life of someone I love.”
Mrs Lorraine Smith
“Having had both open heart surgery and a stent, I know first hand how important it is to be dealing with doctors who have access to the latest technology - it is very comforting to know that the San’s world class specialists are equipped with the state of the art machinery that helps them to maximise the chances of people living an unrestricted life. I value my health and I’m glad that the San does too.”
Mr Greg Jones
“...On behalf of my late father...I witnessed with him the remarkable staff on Level 6 of your hospital. It was his wish that I let you know how grateful he was to be in the hands of such wonderful, caring and gentle doctors and nurses during his last days. You must be very proud of your special team on that floor, they are truly gifted people.”
Sydney Adventist Hospital Patient
“Not having been a patient in any hospital for many years...I was mindful of the recent criticism that has been levelled at a number of hospitals. Accordingly, I would be grateful if you would record, and pass on to all the staff of Level 10 my sincere appreciation for their excellent care and attention. No staff member was other than helpful and very professional and courteous. This (also) applies to the staff who conducted the pre-admission tests and procedures.”
Sydney Adventist Hospital Patient
“I would like to express my appreciation for the excellent care that I received in the Coronary Care Unit. The friendly and efficient nursing staff made the tedious few days so much easier...I could not find a single item during my stay that could have been better dealt with.”
Sydney Adventist Hospital Patient
“The [Radiotherapy] staff were kind and caring people. I thank you all, you made my ordeal bearable. I believe the San is the only hospital that supplies transport by volunteers for cancer patients. I was collected, waited for and returned to my home every day for six weeks by several charming men and women, who listened and entertained me, making my trip bearable. My sincere thanks to you all.”
Sydney Adventist Hospital Patient
“I was afforded a level of care and concern for my wellbeing that I would not have believed available in today’s materialistic society. I am writing to simply express my gratitude. As a man with very limited previous experience of personal medical emergencies, I can only thank you and your whole staff - the words may sound trite, but my gratitude is sincere”.
Sydney Adventist Hospital Patient
