opinion
Justin Langer: ‘The Saint’, my beautiful Mum, and helping those crushed by cancer

“You don’t look as happy as the last time I saw you JL. How are you?” These were simple words, but one’s spoken with compassion, care and courage — three traits of the best people and leaders I know. It was a simple question coming from a deep place. A question that couldn’t have been timelier, and a message coming from someone who has delivered similar enquiries thousands of times in his life. That morning, I had just had a bout of vertigo — a horrible experience — and was jumping off the treadmill of eight busy months of working and studying. In essence, I was cooked and experiencing symptoms of burnout. I wasn’t necessarily less happy, but I was certainly more tired than the last time this man and I met. As the old saying goes, ‘fatigue can make cowards out of us all,’ and my face and body language were obviously giving it away; especially to a set of trained eyes who are used to observing a person’s health. The question came last Wednesday from a man I affectionately nicknamed ‘The Saint’ more than 20 years ago. That man is Dr David Joske, a remarkable figure in the realm of healthcare and philanthropy. Known for his groundbreaking work in integrating complementary therapies with conventional cancer treatments, David is one of the great people I have met. The founder of Solaris Care based here in Western Australia, David has dedicated his career to improving cancer patients’, and their families’, quality of life. When David first asked me 20 years ago to act as the patron of Solaris, I automatically said yes. I knew David would exert leadership and vision on the charity, and therefore, I knew he would build something special. At the start of the journey _ and as honoured as I was to play a small part in Solaris Care _ it wasn’t until my Mum was diagnosed with ovarian cancer that I learned the impact Solaris could have on those going through the cancer journey. Initially, my patronage was about David, the leader. Since Mum, it has been a combination of ‘The Saint’ and my first-hand understanding of what he and his band of guardian angel volunteers did to support my Mum in her hours of greatest need. As a clinical haematologist at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Solaris Care emerged from David’s observations. He noticed that many of his patients were seeking complementary therapies alongside their conventional treatments, which were often kept a secret from their doctors. Realising that many of these complementary or alternative therapies were useless and expensive _ and some of them dangerous _ he decided to buy into this issue. Rather than dismissing these practices, he saw an opportunity to bridge the gap between traditional medicine and alternative therapies. David told me from the beginning: “It started a journey that took me from being a doctor who felt I had to show an open mind on these therapies; to someone WITH an open mind.” This distinct attitudinal difference distinguishes him from many others. And so, in 2001, Solaris Care was established as a haven for cancer patients, offering a range of complementary therapies free of charge. The organization’s name, derived from the Latin word for sun, reflects its mission to bring light and warmth to those facing the darkness of cancer diagnosis and treatment. At Solaris Care centres, patients can access a variety of services _ including massage, reflexology, reiki, meditation and counselling. These therapies are not intended to replace conventional cancer treatments but to work alongside them, addressing the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of patients that may be overlooked in traditional medical settings. When a person is diagnosed with cancer, they have to deal with the shock of the diagnosis, the symptoms, side effects, costs, treatment, the time commitment, the variable response from family and friends, and the uncertainty of a good result. “Solaris is there to make these aspects of the cancer journey more bearable,” David says. “We aren’t about claiming cures from reiki therapy for example, but rather about getting people to the best possible place they can get to, given the hand of cards they have been dealt.” His approach has not been without its critics. Some in the medical community initially viewed the integration of complementary therapies with scepticism. However, David has helped shift perceptions through rigorous research and advocacy. His work has contributed to a growing body of evidence supporting the benefits of integrative oncology, leading to greater acceptance within the medical establishment. Apart from anything else, it is this courage to challenge mainstream medicine, not as an alternative but as a complement, that I find so remarkable and inspiring in David’s leadership. Often written off as ‘mumbo jumbo, hippie s--t’, there is much to learn from the mind/body connection synonymous more with Eastern than Western medicine. David says: “I have lost count of the number of times a fellow medico has approached me with a comment along the lines of, ‘I thought what you were doing with Solaris was rubbish, but now my father/mother/wife/husband/son/daughter/brother/sister has used Solaris, I get it. I see how important the human touch can be’.” Western medicine is generally focused on the eradication of disease - which of course is critical – but taking a holistic approach means treating the cancer AND the rest of the person at the same time. This is where complementary medicine, treatments and lifestyle advice come in. And, it is what Solaris offers. As he articulates it so beautifully: “We can still do more to care for the person ‘around the tumour. I knew more was needed way back then, and I believe this is still the case today.” The success of Solaris Care has inspired similar initiatives around Australia. Internationally, it’s noteworthy that many of the major renowned cancer centres have integrative oncology services within them. In WA, Solaris Care currently has centres in Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Bunbury (servicing the South West) and Cottesloe. There is also a Pilbara Outreach program that helps clients both here in Perth and back in their regional location between Perth visits Solaris Care’s impact has been profound on its patients, who report reduced stress, improved mood, and better management of treatment side effects. For many, the centres provide a crucial support network, offering a space where they can connect with others facing similar challenges and find respite from the clinical environment of hospitals. We have such an incredible asset here in WA that has and is leading the country in integrative cancer care. But as the Solaris Care CEO told me this week: “Almost everyone I come into contact with assumes that we are a WA Health government-funded initiative—but the truth is that still sits at less than 5 per cent. Ninety-five per cent comes from the community. We could make this available for the whole State — it is just funding that limits us.” Solaris’s approach is always evidence-based and is there to support conventional cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation. Importantly, therapies and group sessions are often delivered by more than 230 qualified volunteers who constantly display a wonderful human spirit. For 23 years, David’s personal philosophy of compassion and innovation in medicine still stands as a testament to the power of one individual’s vision to catalyse widespread change. Through his unwavering commitment to improving patient care, David has not only touched countless lives directly but has also helped reshape the landscape of cancer care, including that of my mums. During a particularly low period of her cancer treatment, Mum whispered to my siblings and I: “There is nothing regal about dying.” Her eyes and words at that moment are tattooed into my brain. Mum’s journey, like most, was brutal at times, but it would have been impossible without the support of her family and friends, brilliant doctors and nurses, and organizations like Solaris Care. Thank you, Dr David Joske; your vision has come to fruition. And while I know you need constant and consistent support to keep the dream alive, what you are doing for those entering the scariest period of their lives is not only profound but important.

opinionJustin Langer: ‘The Saint’, my beautiful Mum, and helping those crushed by cancer

opinion
Justin Langer: ‘The Saint’, my beautiful Mum, and helping those crushed by cancer