Balya Cancer Self Help and Wellness Inc have been conducting Retreats for cancer patients since 1989 under the skilled direction and guidance of well respected Dr Ivy Bullen and other professionals and specialists. However, Dr Bullen has long held dear the idea for a purpose built centre from where to run these very special retreats. This dream has become a reality.

Retreat Dates are indicated elsewhere on the page.

Phase 1 of the Balya Centre is complete and offers support to 20 patients and their primary carers on a beautiful 53-acre site in Mayo Rd Gidgegannup. When Phase II and III are completed Balya will be able to provide accommodation to 40 people and support up to 500 people per annum.

Many companies and individuals have contributed generously in either time or money to enable the project to reach this stage. Some marshalled machinery and donations in kind for the site preparation, roads, landscaping and bitumen for the car parks.

The efforts and contributions of these individuals and companies are valued in excess of $1million. Special thanks must go to the Western Australian Lotteries Commission for their long and sustained support, donating $600,000 towards the construction of the Retreat.

Cancer will affect one in three WA men and one in four WA women during their lifetime. Critically, age is no consideration - many people contract cancer in their teens and we all know someone who has suffered.

Modern medicine has made major advances in treatment - WA in particular is towards the forefront in terms of high quality surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. However, the disease has not gone away.

Balya is all about being an organisation helping people to pick up the pieces either before, during or after they have contracted the disease and feel they can benefit from additional therapy, guidance and education. People in remission can also benefit from the retreats which Balya offer. The statistics are inescapable, someone close to you today could easily be tomorrow’s victim. Balya will be there to help.

I ask you to give generously in either time or money to help bring this vital dream to fruition. All donations are tax deductible and naming rights are available to those who make gifts of a substantial nature.