Despite ceasing face-to-face wellness and rehabilitation classes in March, MannaCare has continued to provide valuable care for oncology patients in Manningham by moving all of its sessions, seminars and counselling service online.

MannaCare’s 12-week program, called POWER (Program for Oncology Wellness and Exercise Rehabilitation), has serviced over 55 members of the community who have been affected by cancer since 2018. This program has since been expanded to offer in-home treatment options and ongoing strength and balance classes. These classes provide valuable social connections for members as well as the physical benefits.

POWER’s move to online Zoom classes means clients are continuing to receive the session’s physical, mental and social benefits, while maintaining a sense of routine with a clinician’s guidance. Wellness seminars are also being delivered online plus a free counselling service available to all POWER clients. Furthermore, POWER clinicians have worked with Ovarian Cancer Australia to provide tele-seminars to women around Australia with ovarian cancer to educate and support them in using exercise during and after their treatment.

POWER was a 2018 recipient of a Manningham Council Community Development Grant, as well as grants provided by Doncaster East and Templestowe Village Community Bank branches of Bendigo Bank. Find out more about the program at the MannaCare website.

Image: Jessica Freeman, exercise physiologist from POWER, delivering an online exercise session