But PSA members and their immediate families don’t have to face it alone. Through a partnership with Osara Health, members have access to a free, personalised Cancer Coach Program designed to support people through every stage of their cancer journey.

The program pairs participants with a dedicated cancer coach who provides one-on-one guidance across physical wellbeing, emotional support, and the practical challenges that come with navigating treatment alongside work and daily life. It’s available to all PSA CPSU NSW members and their immediate family members at no cost.

Lachlan Thurtell, a Threatened Species Officer in the Ecosystems and Threatened Species branch of Conservation Programs, Heritage and Regulation (CPHR), and a union member for five years, is one member who has experienced the program firsthand.

Mr Thurtell is currently going through treatment for a rare cancer called a Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumour (GIST).

“It really took me by surprise as I wasn’t experiencing any symptoms at the time and life was going along at its usual busy pace,” he said. “I did a couple of tests for an unrelated issue and a lesion was picked up during an ultrasound, which I was told could have been a few different things. A few scans, blood tests, and a biopsy later I found out that I had cancer.”

The experience reinforced something important for Mr Thurtell: “It really highlighted to me the importance of going for a check-up or booking in early when you notice something.”

With a few uncertain months between the initial finding and his diagnosis, he describes “a fair bit of uncertainty and anxiety during this time.” His treatment is ongoing, and while there have been challenges, he says “it’s important to have something each day to get up for and keep going.”

Mr Thurtell first heard about the Cancer Coach Program through the union’s member emails. His reasoning for signing up was straightforward: “There would be nothing to gain from not participating and perhaps something to learn if I gave it a go. Another tool in the kit to dealing with it all.”

What stood out most was the one-on-one coaching. “I feel as though I already knew a fair bit about staying fit and healthy, but being in the program definitely creates some accountability for ensuring that you’re looking after yourself in the ways you should be as you navigate treatment,” he says.

Day to day, the program helped Mr Thurtell stay on track, “ensuring that I was doing the right things to help make the treatment as effective as possible while staying healthy.”
His message to fellow members who might be hesitant? “Definitely give it a go! There’s a lot of good information provided through the coaches and the app that can help you through your journey.”

Osara Health offers programs for members and immediate family diagnosed or caring for a loved one. If you or an immediate family member has been affected by cancer and would like to access the program, contact the PSA CPSU NSW for more information.

Details on how to access all these benefits are available on the PSA CPSU NSW website.