Run and have fun for a cause A DIAGNOSIS of terminal cancer was the last thing Mt Eliza father of two Geoff Nyssen was expecting three weeks after turning 40. Life was on track in 2014 for the corporate high-flyer who lived a “normal” life, focussing on success and “getting ahead”. That was until a diagnosis of terminal blood cancer turned his life upside down. Inspirational in so many ways, Mr Nyssen has met the challenge head on and is re-directing his energies into raising money for Myeloma Australia to support the carers and families of multiple myeloma patients. In between working part time as an environmental engineer and undergoing chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant, the 43-year-old has gathered the help of friends and family to organise a Mt Eliza Run & Fun Festival 7.30am – 3.30pm on Sunday 26 March at Emil Madsen Reserve. “It’s disempowering to be diagnosed with cancer, but I feel that I was very lucky not to have lost a limb, as so many myeloma sufferers do,” he said. While the future is unclear, today’s new normal for Mr Nyssen involves trying to be as deliberate and useful with his time as possible. He connects with people through online writing and public presentations, and shares stories about how he has used nutrition, exercise, meditation, gratitude and goal setting to derive a purposeful life for himself. He has prioritised time with his family and is grateful to be able to walk his two young children to school, listening, talking and learning on the way. “For all of us, time can disappear so quickly and so I try to prioritise and do things that are meaningful. “I don’t subscribe to the fact that I won’t be here in two years, or 10 years, or whatever the textbooks say, but I do want to make sure I spend whatever time I have left doing things that matter.” Mr Nyssen said he hoped the festival, which will include activities for children and adults, will be an opportunity for people to connect with each other for a good cause. Read more about Mr Nyssen’s life at http://geoffnyssen.com/ Liz Bell
HEADSPACE Frankston, which offers mental health support for young people, has received a $240,000 funding boost to help it deal with increasing demand. Manager Rosemary Dowling said the service was having difficulty meeting the rising need for mental health support, with around 1400 people seeking help annually, compared to around 1000 five years ago. She said the funding was a “top-up” grant to provide added services to help young people with more complex issues. Announcing the funding with Dunkley Liberal MP Chris Crewther last week, federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said it would ensure vital mental health services were available to young people in the community for the next two years. Mr Crewther said assistance for young people with mental health issues in Frankston and on the Mornington Peninsula was an important government focus. “Additional funding to Frankston Headspace will assist the centre to continue the fantastic work it does to help our young people,” he said. Headspace provides a free and confidential health services for young people, and works closely with other providers to deliver a coordinated support service for people with a range of needs.
Inspirational strength: Geoff Nyssen is hoping to help others through the Mt Eliza festival. Picture: Gary Sissons
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