I hope this message finds you in good health and high spirits as we approach the holiday season.
I wanted to take a moment to extend my heartfelt gratitude for your trust and support throughout this year. Your well-being is at the heart of our practice at Almond Wellness Centre, and it’s been an honuor to serve you.
As we step into the festive season, I would like to inform you of our availability:
I will be away from December 20th, 2023, and will resume consultations on January 12th, 2024.
Our chiropractor Dr. Daniel Pica will be away from 22/12/23 to 03/01/24, and 10/01/24 to 15/01/24
However, our clinics in Coburg and Ringwood will remain open during this period to ensure continuous care for our patients.
Our dedicated team of practitioners will be available to attend to your needs and provide the exceptional care you expect from Almond Wellness Centre.
For appointments, adjustments, or any inquiries during my absence, please feel free to contact our clinics or visit our website for detailed information.
May this holiday season bring you joy, peace, and moments of shared happiness with your loved ones.
Wishing you a rejuvenating holiday and a prosperous New Year filled with health, happiness, and harmony.
Australians diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM), the most common and deadliest form of brain cancer, can now look forward to new treatment possibilities and improved chances of survival. The Australian Brain Cancer Mission, in collaboration with the Minderoo Foundation and the Cure Brain Cancer Foundation (CBCF), has announced an innovative clinical trial, GBM Adaptive Global Innovative Learning Environment (GBM AGILE), which aims to revolutionize the way GBM is treated.
A Grim Reality
Brain cancer has been a relentless adversary, with GBM accounting for a substantial portion of malignant brain tumors, contributing to the grim statistic that less than a quarter of those diagnosed are expected to live beyond five years. In 2020, 2,000 Australians were diagnosed with brain cancer, and these statistics underscore the urgent need for innovative approaches to treatment.
Mission for a Brighter Future
The Australian Brain Cancer Mission, supported by the Morrison Government’s Medical Research Future Fund and philanthropic contributions, seeks to reverse these statistics. It aspires to double survival rates and enhance the quality of life for brain cancer patients. The introduction of the GBM AGILE trial in Australia is a significant step towards achieving these goals.
GBM AGILE – Revolutionising Treatment
GBM AGILE is a versatile and adaptive trial approach with multiple “treatment arms,” offering the potential to expedite the clinical research process for GBM. This trial will enable researchers to simultaneously assess the effects of various unique drugs, revolutionizing the way treatments are developed and tailored to individual patients. GBM AGILE introduces a technique called adaptive randomization, which connects patients with therapies that have the greatest potential to treat their specific cancer, ensuring that effective treatments are identified more rapidly.
Collaborative Efforts for Success
The initiative has received support from various key players, including the Commonwealth Department of Health, Cancer Australia, the Minderoo Foundation, and the CBCF, which are working collaboratively to ensure its success. Bringing the GBM AGILE trial to Australia is a crucial step towards finding a cure for one of the most common and deadly forms of brain cancer. The Cure Brain Cancer Foundation CEO, Lance Kawaguchi, highlighted that the trial would provide innovative treatments and world-leading research to Australian patients.
Personalised Cancer Care
“GBM AGILE will bring world-leading research and innovative treatments to Australian patients. Cure Brain Cancer Foundation is proud to collaborate with the Government and Minderoo on this important initiative,” said Mr. Kawaguchi. This cutting-edge trial is designed to offer multiple treatment options to patients quickly, advancing a more personalized approach to cancer care, which represents the future of oncology.
Advancing the Future of Cancer Care
Dr. Steve Burnell, CEO of Minderoo Foundation’s Collaborate Against Cancer initiative, emphasized that providing new options to brain cancer patients is a priority. Adaptive platform trials, such as GBM AGILE, play a vital role in offering multiple treatment choices, driving more personalized approaches to cancer care, which is considered the future of cancer treatment.
Funding the Future
The GBM AGILE trial is a remarkable opportunity for Australians living with GBM. It promises to accelerate the development of effective treatments and ultimately improve the outlook for those diagnosed with this devastating disease. With up to $12 million available over four years from 2021-22, this initiative is a significant step forward in the fight against brain cancer.
A Beacon of Hope
The grant opportunity for researchers to undertake the GBM AGILE trial has been opened, and it represents a glimmer of hope for patients and their families. With ongoing support and collaboration between government entities, philanthropic organizations, and the scientific community, the fight against brain cancer is gaining momentum, and a brighter future for those affected by GBM is on the horizon. For more information on the grant round, visit: www.grants.gov.au
In the battle against brain cancer, GBM AGILE represents a beacon of hope, offering a promising pathway towards more effective treatments and, ultimately, a cure for this devastating disease.
We wish you happy holidays and have a very joyful New Year. We hope that the new year brings your family much happiness and health. Take care of yourselves and see you when you need help next time.
Dr. Richard Zeng will be away from 18th Dec to 18th Jan and will be back to work on 20th Jan. However, both our Ringwood and Coburg clinics are open throughout Christmas and New Year, expect the major holidays.
曾医生假期从12月18日始，1月20日起正常应诊。整脊师 Daniel 12月23日至1月9日， 1月10日起正常应诊
Practitioners available at Ringwood clinic / Ringwood 门诊医生:
Dr. Ruby Hou (Chinese Medicine) : Wednesday, Saturdays
侯医生：周三，五
Ken Gao : Monday, Thursday, Friday
高医生：周一，四，五
Richard Yates: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturdays, Sunday
Practitioners available at Coburg clinic / Coburg 门诊医生:
Dr. Ruby Hou (Chinese Medicine): Monday, Friday
侯医生：周一，六
Dr. Tracey Byrne (Chinese medicine): Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday
Ken Gao (Dry needling, Remedial Massage): Wednesday, Saturday
高医生：周三，六
If you are having any health issues, please reach out to us and we will make arrangements for you to be treated by one of our trusted associates here at Almond Wellness Centre.
We are closely monitoring the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic.
Our acupuncture and chiropractic clinic are remaining open at the moment.
As always,
Safety is our first priority
We have committed:
High standard infection control to be practiced in our clinics.
• Masks offered to all and to use when you entering our clinics;
• Hand sanitizers for all to use.
• Single used disposable cover sheets are used in all treatment rooms and tables.
• Hourly cleaning of all public areas.
For any respiratory conditions, please DO NOT come to visit us in the clinic. We are offering phone/video consultation and herbal prescriptions.
Herbs can will be collected by your friends or family, or will be dropped in your car while you are waiting in the car park.
Before your visit:
If you or a close contact have any of the below:
• cough, fever, sore throat or runny nose
• returned from overseas in the past 14 days
• any contact with a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 in the past 14 days,
Please call us so we can reschedule your appointment.
We are offering phone/video consultation and herbal prescriptions for fertility and other general conditions.
Wash your hands often with soap and water, as this is the best way to stop transmission of this virus.
During your visit:
• If you arrive early for your appointment, please consider remaining in your car until much closer to your appointment time.
• To reduce the numbers in our waiting areas, please don’t bring other children/family members into our clinic.
• Use the masks provided, and please use hand sanitizer/alcohol sprays upon arrival.
• If you need to sneeze or cough, please cover your mouth and nose with tissues or your upper sleeve or elbow. Please dispose of the tissue in the bins provided. Wash or sanitize your hands afterwards immediately.
• Please wash your hands thoroughly after using the toilets.
After your visit:
If you are diagnosed with COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and may have been infected around the time of your visit, please inform us.
Your confidentially will be protected.
We are reviewing these steps regularly in conjunction with current advice from the Australian Government and Public Health authorities. We are committed to the safety and well-being of all our patients, their families and our staff. We thank you for your kind understanding and help to keep everyone safe.
Take care and be safe. Let’s get through this together.
May the Holiday season fill your home with joy, your heart with love, and your life with laughter.Have a healthy, happy, and peaceful New Year.
Dear Valued Patients,
As the holiday season twinkles upon us, the team at Almond Wellness Centre wishes you and your loved ones joy, warmth, and a season filled with wellness and cheer.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude for entrusting us with your health and well-being throughout the year. Your trust in our practice inspires us to continually strive for excellence in delivering personalized care tailored to your needs.
Please take note of our holiday office hours, ensuring you have access to our services during this festive season. For detailed information on our open hours, kindly visit our website [insert hyperlink to the detailed open hours page].
May this holiday season bring you moments of serenity and togetherness. Here’s to a rejuvenating break and a new year brimming with health, happiness, and harmony.
Warm regards,
Your health team at Almond Wellness Centre
Important Information for Private Health Fund Members – massage therapy, acupuncture and chiropractic
The New Year is fast approaching and for many Private Health Fund Members it signals the expiry of your insurance entitlements for 2023.
Many Health Fund Providers run on a calendar year and they tend not to carry over unused funds to the following year. Now is not only the time to check that you are taking full advantage of your Health Insurance entitlements, but also to ensure that you are keeping fit, healthy and pain free for the festive season.
Almond Wellness Centre is dedicated to helping you reach your health potential; guiding you to a lifetime of freedom, good living and a better quality of life.
Take advantage of your remaining Private Health benefits for 2023 before they are gone.
Call 03 8802 1519 or 03 9378 9479 to make your next appointment now.
Holiday office hours
During the Holiday Season our clinic will have the following schedule:
23rd – 26th December 2023 Closed
27th – 29th December 2023 OPEN
30th December 2023 – 2nd January 2024 Closed
We will reopen on Thursday January 3rd and resume regular office hours.
Dear Valued Patients,