The Wellness Centre in Liverpool’s Cancer Therapy Centre will be renamed to The John Richard Kuhlmann Wellness Centre in honour of the legacy left by John and his family.
A donation of $450,000 from The John Richard Kuhlmann Foundation will help to ensure cancer patients and survivors at Liverpool Hospital’s Wellness Centre can continue to improve their quality of life while receiving cancer treatment.
The Wellness Centre provides a space for cancer patients and their carers to relax or to participate in a range of free programs that are designed to offer guidance and practical lifestyle support.
Programs include a free wig service, art courses, gardening workshops, talks on nutrition, yoga, meditation as well as music and dance therapy.
South Western Sydney Local Health District cancer services director Geoff Delaney said patients will continue to be the biggest beneficiaries of the donation.
“These days we have a good rate of cancer survival and donations such as this mean that the centre can focus on the wellness of our patients during and after their treatment,” Professor Delaney said.
“The centre helps people to deal with the side effects of medicines and equips them with skills to rebuild their own health.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“For a person who is diagnosed with cancer and undergoes treatment, hair loss becomes a harsh reality.[/social_quote]
“Our wig service has expanded thanks to a prior donation from The John Richard Kuhlmann Foundation. Patients can come in before they lose their hair and try on a large range of wigs until they pick one they like and they can use it for the duration of their treatment,” Professor Delaney said.
John Kuhlmann Senior’s son John was treated at Liverpool Hospital, and he can vouch for the centre’s success, having seen various patients take advantage of the current space.
“The space provides solace for people who would like a quiet place to reflect or are looking for a way to take their mind off things,” Mr Kuhlmann said.
It has been a long road for the Kuhlmann family whose son sadly passed away from a combination of bowel cancer and a brain tumour in 2002, but the family’s positive attitude towards life is infectious.
“My son was treated by Prof Delaney and after John passed away we decided to make the donation as we really believed in the cause and the good work being done at the Wellness Centre,” he said.
Liverpool Hospital general manager Robynne Cooke said the hospital has always enjoyed great support from the community and reiterated the great impact this donation will have.
“We are extremely grateful to John Richard Kuhlmann, his entire family and all members of the Foundation for helping us to continue providing the best care we can for our patients and supporting our staff in doing so,” Ms Cooke said.
SNAPSHOT
What: John Kuhlmann Senior and members of the John Richard Kuhlmann Foundation will tour the newly renamed John Richard Kuhlmann Wellness Centre in Liverpool’s Cancer Therapy Centre and officially make a $450,000 donation to the centre with morning tea to be served.
When: Monday 22 May at 10am.
Where: The John Richard Kuhlmann Wellness Centre, Liverpool Cancer Therapy Centre.
