Social workers play a critical role in helping patients and families navigate the emotional, practical and psychosocial challenges of transplant—from diagnosis through prolonged treatment and recovery.

It was our honour to support six dedicated social workers to attend this special study day providing them with the opportunity to learn, reflect, connect and ultimately improve the support provided to stem cell transplant patients across Australia.

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Lara Castley

Lara Castley is a new‑graduate social worker currently working at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Queensland.

Lara shared that she was very excited to learn she had been selected for an Arrow Scholarship to attend the Oncology Social Work Study Day.

“As a new‑graduate social worker, I thought this day would be really beneficial to my learning and development as a practitioner,” she said.

Lara looked forward to learning from the wisdom and experience of her colleagues and was particularly impacted by a presentation from Kim Hobbs, who described patients as being like onions—each with layers that need to be gently unpacked over time.

The conference also deepened Lara’s understanding of the trauma experienced by patients and families following a cancer diagnosis. She reflected on how the diagnosis itself, combined with the hospital environment, lack of privacy and pressure to make rapid decisions, can be inherently traumatic.

This insight helped Lara better understand patient responses she has observed in practice, including withdrawal, overwhelm and indecision, and reinforced the importance of a trauma‑informed approach in all interactions.

Lara also left the day with increased confidence, particularly when supporting parents with cancer who have children. Previously, she had questioned whether her lack of lived experience as a parent might limit her effectiveness. The study day reassured her that presence, compassion and empathy matter more than shared experience.

Listening to other Arrow Scholarship recipients also inspired Lara to become more involved in advocacy and committee work, ensuring the social work perspective is represented in broader industry conversations.

“The conference has increased my awareness of potential collaborations, mentorship and professional involvement that I can continue to build on as my career develops,” she shared.

Overall, the experience strengthened Lara’s confidence and reaffirmed her commitment to oncology social work.

“The scholarship provided not only financial support, but also a sense of encouragement and belonging within the oncology social work community. I will carry the insights I gained into my practice with gratitude.”

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Janelle Ward

Janelle Ward is an oncology and haematology social worker at Wollongong Hospital and the only specialist social worker in this role across the Illawarra district. Like others working within small or solo teams, Janelle valued the opportunity to meet and connect with fellow oncology social workers.

Janelle found keynote speaker Kim Hobbs’ presentation particularly insightful, especially the description of patients as being like onions, with many layers to uncover over time.

“It made me stop and think,” Janelle said. “I’ll be focusing more on unwrapping patients’ layers to better understand who they are and what is really impacting their journey.”

Spending time with others who understand the emotional demands of oncology social work helped Janelle feel less isolated and more connected to the wider profession.

Janelle also deeply appreciated the financial assistance provided through the Arrow Scholarship, which enabled her to attend the interstate study day.

“The scholarship made a huge financial difference. It meant I was able to attend the conference,” she said.

She left the study day inspired to pursue greater involvement in research and to continue advocating for improved cancer care and social work support within her district.

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Marion Adams

As the only haematology social worker at Austin Hospital in Melbourne, Marion Adams welcomed the opportunity to connect with peers through the Oncology Social Work Study Day and to share knowledge and experiences.

Marion left the day feeling inspired to seek out collaborative research projects and to become more involved in broader professional and industry networks.

The study day also served as an important reminder to slow down, create space and give her full attention to each patient—something she consciously reminds herself to do multiple times a day in a fast‑paced clinical environment.

Marion recognises that a diagnosis of blood cancer is deeply confronting. Patients are often shell‑shocked and unable to fully comprehend the path ahead. By slowing down and giving patients time to process their new reality, Marion is better able to support them in understanding and coping with complex information.

Marion also expressed her appreciation for Arrow and the support provided to patients and clinical teams.

“I know the value of Arrow’s funds because I see people every day who struggle with the costs associated with treatment. I also see Arrow‑supported nurse educators on the ward improving quality of care. The psychosocial impact of transplant is immense, and anything we can do to improve support is gratefully received.”

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Megan Delaney

Megan Delaney is a Senior Social Worker at Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick, working within a team of five dedicated to supporting haematology and oncology patients.

Megan said she was “thrilled, delighted and grateful” when she received an Arrow Scholarship to attend the Oncology Social Work Study Day.

Working primarily with children and adolescents, Megan found one of the most valuable aspects of the day was learning more about the unique experiences of adult stem cell transplant patients, including the additional logistical and emotional challenges they face—particularly the requirement for a dedicated carer.

She shared that this insight has deepened her appreciation of the adult transplant journey and will inform her practice as she continues to support patients and families throughout her career.

Megan also valued the opportunity to pause from daily clinical work to reflect on and appreciate the important work she does, as well as that of her colleagues across Australia.

“The study day highlighted and celebrated our profession, which is always an important aspect of gatherings like this,” she said.

She also appreciated connecting with fellow social workers, particularly those earlier in their careers.

“I so highly valued the time spent with colleagues who work in the same area of social work as me, coming together to ensure we are providing the best care possible for our patients.”

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Olivia Choi

Olivia Choi works as a haematology inpatient social worker at The Alfred Hospital.

Olivia reflects that “working in oncology social work can be complex and emotionally demanding, particularly when supporting patients and families through uncertainty, grief and complex care needs.”

Through networking at the study day, Olivia was reassured to learn that many of the challenges she experiences—including limited resources and the pressures of working in crisis‑driven environments—are shared across hospitals.

The conference offered practical strategies for navigating these challenges, including creative ways to utilise readily available resources where gaps exist. For Olivia, the day also reinforced the importance of understanding the broader context of each patient’s life.

She was reminded to consider not only medical care, but also family circumstances, emotional wellbeing, financial hardship, loss of employment, and changes in identity or physical appearance.

“We need to be present, listen closely and support patients and families through crisis—not just alongside treatment, but as an essential part of their care,” Olivia said.

The experience reaffirmed for Olivia the critical role social workers play in delivering holistic care.

“It reminded me that our presence is essential, and that patients and families deeply value the support, advocacy and grounding we provide during overwhelming times.”

The study day strengthened Olivia’s confidence and sense of pride in her profession and sparked her interest in future research focused on supporting parents with cancer and improving psychosocial care for families with young children.

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Georgia Janas

Georgia Janas is a social worker in the Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Department at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.

Georgia describes oncology and haematology social work as an “emotionally intense” role that is both “rewarding and demanding.” She valued the study day for encouraging reflection on how social workers can remain intentional, ethical and self‑aware in high‑pressure clinical environments.

One of Georgia’s key takeaways was learning that many of the challenges she experiences are shared across services.

“Recognising that these challenges are common reinforced the importance of collective problem‑solving and peer support within social work teams,” she said.

The study day also prompted reflection on the extended treatment trajectories of stem cell transplant patients—from diagnosis through prolonged treatment and potential transplant—and the significant psychosocial complexities faced by patients and families along the way.

Georgia noted that when treatment pathways are long and complex, psychosocial needs are often heightened.

As a result, she plans to take a more proactive and holistic approach to assessment, with earlier identification of distress, caregiver burden and practical challenges. She also intends to collaborate more closely within multidisciplinary teams to ensure psychosocial needs remain central to care planning.

Georgia expressed deep gratitude for receiving an Arrow Scholarship.

“This scholarship is deeply meaningful to me, as it represents both recognition and support for my commitment to psychosocial care within oncology and haematology.”

She shared that the study day reaffirmed her passion for the work.

“It reminded me why this work matters—supporting patients and families through some of the most challenging periods of their lives.”

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Thank you

We are sincerely grateful to Jazz Pharmaceuticals for their generous support of Arrow’s travel scholarship program. Their commitment helps ensure that social workers—who play such a vital role in supporting stem cell transplant patients and families—can access learning, connection and professional development that strengthens care across the country.