A vital $20,000 grant is set to expand life-changing wellness services for cancer patients in Far North Queensland, offering a sanctuary where the focus shifts from illness to connection and healing.
A Rainforest Refuge from the Cancer Journey
In the lush rainforest surroundings of Cairns, a unique haven provides something profound for people undergoing cancer treatment: a sense of normalcy. The COUCH Cancer Hub NQ, run by the Cairns Organisation United for Cancer Health (COUCH), features a volunteer-run cafe where patients can meet, share stories over coffee, and enjoy board games.
"It is a gathering place for people who sometimes feel like they are not 'normal' after a cancer diagnosis," explains COUCH Partnerships and Marketing Manager Jennifer Spilsbury. "They are enjoying bonding with other people and not talking about cancer, just having a coffee and playing games and having a chat. It makes for an amazing social connection."
From Advocacy to a Holistic Wellness Hub
The story of COUCH began nearly two decades ago, driven by local tourism figures Charles and Pip Woodward. Their initial campaign successfully fought to bring oncology services to Cairns Hospital, sparing patients arduous trips to Townsville or Brisbane.
With that battle won, their mission evolved into creating a comprehensive wellness retreat. The hub now offers a wide range of physical therapies and wellbeing programs, including:
- Exercise physiology and physiotherapy
- Lymphoedema massage
- Breathing classes and meditation
- Workshops on nutrition and music therapy
Grant Funding Fuels Expanded Reach and Support
The recent $20,000 CommBank Community Grant arrives at a critical time. Federal funding through the NQ Primary Health Network program ceased in March 2026, making community and corporate support essential.
This grant will enable COUCH to deliver 50 heavily discounted four-week wellness packages to make services more accessible. It will also fund a crucial awareness campaign to let more people in the region know about the support available at the Hub.
"Now we are completely reliant on the community," says Spilsbury. "That is why grants from organisations like CommBank are amazing and help us to provide these services and facilities. The CommBank grant is absolutely phenomenal and we absolutely thank them for it."
Nathan Barker, Executive Manager of Community Investment at CommBank, stated the bank was proud to support COUCH. "COUCH is doing amazing work to make a real difference and our grants are designed to make sure that impact extends further," he said. "We are really proud here at CommBank to play a part and make sure these vital services are able to receive continued support."
The CommBank Community Grants program is delivered through the CommBank Staff Foundation, allowing staff to nominate meaningful community organisations for funding. Since 1917, CommBank employees have supported Australian communities through matched donations and volunteering, fostering brighter futures for grassroots initiatives like COUCH.
