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Therapeutic Exercise Session

About Us

When people with cancer receive the right support — early, safely, and consistently their lives change.

It became increasingly clear that a collective approach — one that removed barriers and made cancer-specific rehabilitation accessible to all — was not just valuable… but necessary.

Why We Exist

The Cancer Care Rehabilitation Foundation was born from a shared vision among a couple of clinicians and a client, who have each witnessed, first-hand, the powerful impact of exercise and supportive care throughout the cancer journey. Across our work in oncology rehabilitation, exercise physiology, physiotherapy and lymphoedema management, we have seen a consistent truth: When people with cancer receive the right support — early, safely, and consistently — their lives change. Their confidence grows. Their strength returns. Their treatment becomes more manageable. They feel more like themselves again.

 

The research behind exercise in cancer care is now undeniable. If we could bottle the the effects of exercise into a pill EVERY single person affected by cancer would be prescribed this medicine.

Recent research has shown that physical activity can influence cancer outcomes, help to prevent side effects during treatment, manage long term side effects of treatment and promote long term function, health and survivorship. Exercise improves the quality of life of cancer patients. (1-5) 

COSA, this Clinical Oncology Society of Australia, released a position statement in 2018 stating that exercise should be embedded as part of standard care and to be viewed as adjunct therapy that helps counteract the adverse effects of cancer and its treatment. It states that optimal practice would be a referral to an accredited exercise physiologist or physiotherapist with experience in cancer care for an individualised exercise program. 

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Backed by the research and seeing first hand the benefits of exercise, is what ultimately brought us together. Our wish is to see exercise medicine embedded in cancer care as usual care, standard for every person affected by cancer. Our focus for now will be in the St George and Sutherland Shire, however, one day we hope to see this as usual care in all regions.

What makes us who we are

Our Mission

To support people in Southern Sydney affected by cancer to have access to safe, specialised exercise programs that:

  • reduce treatment side effects

  • improve physical function and confidence

  • support emotional wellbeing

  • enhance long-term health outcomes and quality of life

Our Vision

Exercise medicine to be embedded as usual care for people affected by cancer, without the financial burden. Structured and subsidised programs.

Our Directors

The Cancer Care Rehabilitation Foundation was born from a shared vision among a couple of clinicians and a client, who have each witnessed, first-hand, the powerful impact of exercise and supportive care throughout the cancer journey. 

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Chair

Sharyn Wappett

With 30 years' experience in physiotherapy and 25 years running her own healthcare business, Sharyn brings a rare combination of clinical depth and organisational leadership to the Foundation's board. Her focus turned to oncology a decade ago, where she saw first-hand the gaps in support available to people navigating cancer treatment and recovery.

That experience led her to establish Restore Oncology Care, built on a holistic model of cancer rehabilitation that treats the whole person — physically and psychologically — rather than just the disease. Sharyn is a firm believer that the evidence behind exercise and cancer outcomes is now strong enough that exercise medicine should be embedded in usual care for every cancer patient, not treated as optional.

It's this conviction that drove her to co-found the Cancer Care Rehabilitation Foundation: by removing the financial burden of accessing rehabilitation support, the Foundation aims to make evidence-based exercise medicine available to far more people navigating cancer, regardless of their ability to pay.

As Chair, Sharyn draws on her clinical expertise and business acumen to guide the Foundation's strategic direction, ensuring its programs remain grounded in real patient need while building the partnerships and funding required to sustain and grow its impact.

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Deputy Chair

Megan McMinn

Megan has a Masters in Exercise Physiology from the Australian Catholic University and is an accredited exercise physiologist, with full registration with Exercise & Sport Science Australia. Megan specialises in the areas of oncology, women’s health, chronic pain and people with invisible illnesses such as chronic fatigue, endometriosis, hypermobility and EDS, along with patients diagnosed with neurological conditions. Megan is committed to helping patients achieve autonomy over their own health and helping them on their road to recovery.

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Director

Felice Montrone OAM

Felice recently retired as CEO of a company listed on the ASX. Felice serves as Chair of the Trustees of The Missionary Sisters Oblates of the Holy Family, who provide emergency accommodation and support to young people. Felice is also the Chairperson of the Father Atanasio Gonelli Charitable Fund, a Sydney-based public benevolent institution, who provide financial grants for medical research and projects, as well as projects and organisations supporting disabled, infirm and elderly people, in addition to financially supporting food vans, providing over 9,000 meals a year for Sydney’s homeless.

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Treasurer

Jack Sciara

Jack has over 25 years’ experience in corporate accounting, finance, taxation and business management. In 2016, Jack was appointed as the Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary of an ASX listed company, Desane Group Holdings Ltd and in 2024 he was appointed as Executive Director of the Company. His role in the Company covers all aspects of financial control and capital management. This includes developing financial and tax strategies for the Group, monitoring and directing strategic business plans, investor relations, ASX compliance and corporate governance. Jack is a member of the Institute of Public Accountants and a registered Tax Agent. Jack also contributes to his community as Treasurer and executive committee member of a local football club, supporting the growth of grassroots football.

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Secretary

Sandra Skerl

Sandra is an experienced company administrator. In her role, Sandra performs a number of critical tasks and provides support to the executive leadership team and senior management of the company she works for. Sandra’s role includes varied administration tasks and office management, as well as preparing and lodging statutory corporate reports, liaising with stakeholders and client relationships. Sandra also serves as Charity Coordinator and Secretary for an ACNC registered charity. Sandra’s administration, management and statutory knowledge are an invaluable asset to the ongoing community assistance services provided by the charity she serves. Sandra is deeply committed to the advancement of community charitable work.

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Director

Dominique Brown

Dominique is an experienced Human Resources professional and business leader, with more than 25 years’ experience across government, manufacturing, health and corporate sectors. 

She is a Director and Co‑Founder of One Step Ahead Training and Business Solutions, also serves as Secretary and Board member of Dandelion Support Network, a not-for-profit providing essential pre‑loved baby and children’s items to families in need, supporting their safety, wellbeing and development through community partnerships.

As a breast cancer survivor, Dominique brings a personal perspective to her role with the Cancer Care Rehabilitation Foundation. Following treatment in 2023, she undertook oncology‑based exercise rehabilitation, which played an important role in her recovery. She is a strong advocate for improving access to evidence‑based exercise and rehabilitation programs that support recovery, wellbeing and long‑term outcomes for people impacted by cancer.

Dominique combines professional expertise with lived experience, bringing a practical, people‑centred perspective to governance and decision‑making.

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Director

Berni Allan

Berni brings more than 30 years of experience in administration across the health and education sectors, including extensive experience as a Practice Manager and in developing effective policies, procedures and organisational systems.

As a passionate and experienced Guided Meditation Facilitator, Berni has a strong belief in supporting the wellbeing of people during cancer recovery and raising awareness of the importance of compassionate and holistic support.

Berni combines her professional experience, organisational skills and heartfelt commitment to helping others to contribute to the charity’s vision and its ongoing work within the community.

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Director

Dr Tracey Dunlop

Dr Tracey Dunlop is a medical oncologist and Head of the Department of Medical Oncology at  St George Hospital. She holds a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (Honours Class I) and a Bachelor of Science (Medicine) from the University of New South Wales, and was awarded Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (FRACP) in 2011. 

  

Tracey's clinical practice focuses on breast, lung and neurological (brain) cancers.  She is the chair of the Lung, and member of the Breast and Neuro-oncology Multidisciplinary Teams at St George Hospital, and also holds a visiting medical officer position at St George Private Hospital.  

  

Through her advocacy of holistic patient care Tracey has joined the Board of the Cancer Care Rehab Foundation, bringing first-hand clinical insight into how exercise and rehabilitation support patients through their cancer journey. 

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