Scalp cooling machine prevents hair loss in cancer patients
Mount Isa Mines jumped on board to support the selfless fundraising efforts of Cloncurry breast cancer survivor, Jan Schneekloth, helping to secure a Paxman Scalp Cooling machine for Mount Isa Hospital's Cancer Care Unit, which allows patients to access the treatment for free.
Receiving a diagnosis of cancer is stressful enough without the thought of losing your hair during treatment. The Paxman Scalp Cooling machine allows patients to maintain their dignity and anonymity at a time when they are coming to grips with an unexpected health crisis.
The machine works to help combat the damage that chemotherapy treatment causes to hair follicles. It is used before, during and after treatment and the technology has been proven to help prevent alopecia caused by chemotherapy.
Cloncurry resident Jan Schneekloth began her campaign to raise funds to purchase the $50,000 machine following her ordeal with breast cancer after talking to other cancer sufferers, particularly women, about the anxiety and discomfort caused by losing their hair.
Left to right: Cancer survivor Jan Schneekloth and Nicole Williams, Mount Isa Hospital Cancer Clinic Nurse Unit Manager.
Although Jan was unable to take advantage of the treatment herself, she wanted to make it possible for others in the region to access the technology and give hope to those about to undertake treatment.
General Manager for Health, Safety, Environment and Community for Glencore's Mount Isa Mines, Maryann Wipaki says it was important for Glencore to contribute to local community projects that make a real difference in the lives of people who live in the North West.
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The Paxman Scalp Cooling Machine delivers hair saving technology at Mount Isa Hospital’s Cancer Care Unit.
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Left to right: Cancer survivor Jan Schneekloth, Maryann Wipaki, General Manager for Health, Safety, Environment and Community, Mount Isa Mines and Nicole Williams, Mount Isa Hospital Cancer Clinic Nurse Unit Manager.
"The Paxman Scalp Cooling machine provides a new service for improved patient outcomes for rural and remote chemotherapy patients," says Maryann.
"This important piece of medical equipment hasn't been available in North West Queensland until now so we're keen to be involved with other partners to ensure our community has access to the same services as those provided in metropolitan areas."
Mount Isa Mines donated $20,000 and together with a number of big-hearted local Cloncurry businesses, Brodie and Co, Quamby Rodeo Association, MDH Pty Ltd, Hacon and Sons Pty Ltd, Dowling Livestock and Property and OzeCool, answered Jan's fundraising quest to see her vision become a reality.