faqs

What is The Gawler Foundation?

The Gawler Foundation is a not-for-profit, registered charity that promotes the integrated management of cancer, Multiple Sclerosis and other serious illness.

Founded by Ian Gawler in 1981 as the Australian Cancer Patients Foundation we assisted mainly with people affected by cancer. Since that time the Foundation has grown and now focuses on both healing and wellbeing.

The Gawler Foundation was Australia's first cancer support service and it also conducted the first active cancer support group in Australia. We are now developing a broad network of Cancer Self Help Support Groups in Melbourne and interstate.

For 25 years, the Foundation has helped thousands of Australians, and people worldwide, through its programs in cancer and multiple sclerosis (MS) management, disease prevention, stress management and counselling.

Anyone diagnosed with cancer will benefit from considering their lifestyle. Just as with heart disease and diabetes, cancer is affected by diet, exercise, stress, and a person's state of mind. For people with a good cancer prognosis, treatment choices will be well-supported by The Gawler Foundation's programs - increasing the possibility of full recovery, minimising side effects and leading to sustainable peace of mind.

The Foundation does not receive any Government funding and relies totally on the generosity, shared vision and commitment of schools, volunteers and other foundations, businesses and individuals.

Who is Ian Gawler OAM?

In 1975, Ian Gawler, a veterinarian and decathlete, developed osteogenic sarcoma (bone cancer) and had his right leg amputated. Later that year the cancer returned and he was given a bleak prognosis. Ian (and his then wife, Grace) started to explore their alternatives for  therapies and treatments which included meditation, organic wholefood plant based diet diet and loving support.

In 1978, Ian was declared cancer-free and his remission was reported in the Medical Journal of Australia. In 1981 Ian started Australia's first Cancer Support Group to assist people in their own challenges with cancer.

Why does The Gawler Foundation advocate Integrative Medicine?

Any serious illness has an enormous impact on the wellbeing of a person, their families, the healthcare system and the wider community. As such, managing illnesses such as cancer and multiple sclerosis, requires a multi-disciplinary and holistic approach utilising evidence-based medicine, lifestyle advice and education, and complementary therapies.

This approach or 'social model of health' is best described as Integrative Medicine.

The Gawler Foundation is of the view that Integrative Medicine is the best paradigm for the treatment and management of cancer, Multiple Sclerosis and other serious illnesses. This approach aims to foster the best outcomes for patients, families and the community through informed decision-making and the provision of skills, resources and information.

Our programs teach people how to get the best out of medical treatments and how to proactively use their own resources in daily life to manage illness and wellbeing.

Integrative Medicine advocates a multi-disciplinary and holistic approach utilising evidence-based medical and surgical treatments, lifestyle advice and complementary therapies.

What kind of programs does The Gawler Foundation offer?

We offer two program models; Healing and Wellbeing.

Residential programs:

  • Life and Living (10 day program)
  • Health, Healing and Beyond (5 day follow-up program)
  • Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis (5 day program)
  • Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis Follow up (5 day program)
  • Healing Meditation Retreat (3 day retreat)
  • Living in Balance (5 day retreat)
  • Weekend Meditation Retreat (3 day retreat)
  • Set your Compass for 2011 (3 day retreat)
  • Moving to your Rhythm - women's retreat (3 day retreat)
  • Movement, Mindfulness, Stillness (3 day retreat)
  • Pathways to Intimacy (3 day retreat)
  • Reclaim your Life (6 day retreat)


Non-residential programs:

  • Living Well (12 week program)
  • Integration program (8 week program)
  • Meditation Goup (ongoing weekly group)
  • Ongoing Cancer Self-help Support Group (weekly/fortnightly)
  • Death, Fear and Inner Peace (1 day workshop)
  • Mindfulness based Stillness Meditation (8 week course)
  • Mind Body Spirit Seminar Series

Over 15,000 people have attended our residential programs in Victoria's Yarra Valley and more than 75,000 people have attended our non-residential programs, all conducted by a team of highly-trained therapists.

These programs are supported by a range of resources including counselling, massage, reflexology and our resource centre.

What is the Foundation's success rate and is there evidence that it works?

In 2005, The Gawler Foundation partnered with the Graduate School of Integrative Medicine, Swinburne University of Technology to undertake an independent research study to assess the benefits for patients who attended the Foundation's 10 day Residential program.

The study found that patients who attended the program experienced scientifically measurable, beneficial effects on mood, mental adjustment to cancer, quality of life and salivary cortisol level (the level of stress, measured by saliva samples). The preliminary results of the study were published in the International Journal of Psycho-Oncology. We also know from direct feedback and our own in-house research that thousands of Australians have benefited from adopting the Gawler approach and many participants of our programs have survived what was regarded as terminal or incurable cancer.

Does The Gawler Foundation require the discontinuation of 'traditional or conventional' treatments like chemotherapy or radiotherapy when they attend a program?

No. The Foundation does not advocate that participants stop currently prescribed medication or treatment.

We advocate an integrated medical approach, which is one that embraces what works and is in each individual person's best interest. This approach brings together many different treatments - conventional, medical treatments and other approaches - that the participant may manage themselves.

We believe every participant needs to be fully informed of the consequences and likely outcomes for various treatment options so that they can make an informed choice about what treatment options and combinations will suit their own individual circumstances.

The Gawler Foundation timeline

1975: Therapeutic Director, Dr Ian Gawler OAM, developed osteogenic sarcoma (bone cancer) and had his right leg amputated. Later that year, the cancer returned. Ian, and his first wife Grace, start to utilise complementary therapies based on meditation, organic wholefood plant based diet diet and loving support.

1978: Ian is cancer-free and his remission is reported in the Medical Journal of Australia.

1981-83: Ian establishes Australia's first self-help cancer support group. Ian and Grace Gawler runs the early groups privately.

1983: The Australian Cancer Patients Foundation was formed, the first lifestyle-based cancer support service in Australia.

1983: The Foundation becomes a non-profit, non-denominational registered charity.

1995-1999: The Foundation convenes the 'Mind, Immunity & Health' Conferences. These are the first conferences in Australia addressing the learning needs of multi-disciplinary health professionals engaged in Integrative Medicine. The conference continues as 'The Holistic Health Conference' now convened by The Australasian Integrative Medical Association (AIMA).

2000: A South Australian survey shows that approximately 52% of the Australian population use complementary medicines and that 23% consulted practitioners of complementary medicine. This represents an estimated out-of-pocket spending of $2.3 billion which is a 62% increase since 1993.

2001: Ian initiates lifestyle-based programs for people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in collaboration with Professor George Jelinek, MS survivor and Professor of Emergency Medicine in WA and author of 'Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis.'

2004: The Foundation partners with Monash Medical School, Swinburne University and RMIT University to present the 'Wellness Conference' for doctors and health practitioners.

2005: The Foundation makes a submission to the Senate Inquiry into services and treatment options for persons with cancer.

2005: The Gawler Foundation partners with the Graduate School of Integrative Medicine, (Swinburne University of Technology) to undertake an independent research study to assess the benefits for participants who attended the Foundation's 10 day residential program.

The study found that participants in  the program experienced scientifically measurable, beneficial effects on mood, mental adjustment to cancer, quality of life and salivary cortisol level (the level of stress measured by saliva samples).

The preliminary results of the study were published in the International Journal of Psycho-Oncology.

2007: The Foundation's 25th anniversary and Ian celebrates being cancer-free for 30 years.

Today: The Foundation is now a dynamic, thriving and leading life force in health and healing. Over 15,000 people have attended our residential programs in Victoria's Yarra Valley, and more than 75,000 people have attended  non-residential programs in meditation and disease prevention conducted by a team of highly trained therapists.

These programs are reinforced by a range of resources including counselling, massage and our resource centre.

 

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