Posted by Sam McCurdy on 27 November 2020
Celebrating 100 years of Rotary in Australia – a certified R100 projectInitiated by the Rotary Club of Camberwell, the Rotary Outreach Myeloma Program (“ROMP”) is a formal collaboration between the Rotary Club of Camberwell and Myeloma Australia, the only myeloma specific charitable organisation in Australia.
The ROMP purpose:Through collaboration with our fellow Rotary Clubs, to deliver quality support for people in regional Victoria who are living with myeloma through the creation and on-going support of locally based myeloma support groups, each led by a professionally qualified myeloma nurses.
The ROMP vision is for a near future in which no patient, their carers or family members will live more than one hour from a myeloma support group.
Myeloma and the Regional Myeloma Community:
Myeloma, also called Multiple Myeloma – and never to be confused with melanoma - is a type of blood cancer that affects the inside of the bone marrow. The cancerous myeloma cells multiply inside the bone marrow, crowding out the healthy red blood cells. Myeloma causes damage to bones and attacks the immune system causing fatigue and can lead to frequent infections. Sadly, only half of all people diagnosed with myeloma survive beyond five years.
It is estimated that that there are close to one thousand people in regional Victoria who are living with myeloma. The disease deeply touches the lives of many others to build a community of patients, medical professionals, carers, family and friends that number several thousand – the “myeloma community”.
It is estimated that that there are close to one thousand people in regional Victoria who are living with myeloma. The disease deeply touches the lives of many others to build a community of patients, medical professionals, carers, family and friends that number several thousand – the “myeloma community”.
A low cost, hands on, high result Rotary program
Rotary clubs are influential and well connected in their areas. The ROMP case is compelling and easily communicated to community leaders. There is little or no cost and the local benefits are significant. A particular bonus will be the fellowship between many engaged clubs and the significant promotion of the Rotary brand and the ideal of service above self.
Rotary clubs are influential and well connected in their areas. The ROMP case is compelling and easily communicated to community leaders. There is little or no cost and the local benefits are significant. A particular bonus will be the fellowship between many engaged clubs and the significant promotion of the Rotary brand and the ideal of service above self.
Generally, the local Rotary Club will provide the “hands on” work to facilitate the program and deliver the outcome – a new support group. Promotional guidance and promotional materials will be provided by the ROMP Committee.
The ROMP program is locally based and discrete to every local region. The Rotary role is to identify myeloma patients in their communities and to bring the opportunity for their support through locally based support groups to their attention. A major source of support will be the local cancer treatment facility. Where a support group exists, the program will expand their membership. Where there is no group, one will be created.
For more information please visit: www.romp100.org
For more information please visit: www.romp100.org
