Background & History

The Cancer & Natural Therapy Foundation is a registered charity organization based in Sunbury, Victoria, run by a team of committed and dedicated volunteers. It was established as a non-profit organization in 1993, shortly after Sandra Maqueda’s 4 year old son’s remarkable recovery from cancer using natural therapies. (Read Sandra & Daniel’s story). Daniel, now 21 years of age is a living testimony to natural therapies, and enjoys a full active life.

As a result of Daniel’s recovery, Sandra who is a qualified Social Worker formed a group following media attention and national publicity. Over the years what started as a small informal group, has rapidly grown into an organization that now offers a wide range of services:

  • Health Awareness Support Group (operating twice weekly)
  • Professional counselling service
  • Access to library resources
  • Information and Referral Service
  • Quarterly newsletter
  • Reiki Healing & Home Visiting
  • Guest Speaker Program
  • Health SeminarsSelf-Help Workshops
  • Group therapy
  • Ifas treatment
  • Ear Candling

The Foundation is committed to raising public awareness of ‘natural health options’ available to individuals to enable them to make ‘informed choices’, and therefore, empower them to become ‘pro-active’ in their healing. Our services are not limited to people with cancer, and extend to anyone interested in taking a active role in their health and well-being.

As a holistic organization, we seek to provide an understanding of ‘health and well-being’ from a physical, mental, and emotional perspective incorporating also environmental factors that impinge on health.

Aims & Objectives

The purposes for which the Incorporated Association is established are:

1) To provide "relief of sickness" and distress associated with cancer

2) To encourage participants to take an active role in their health and improve their quality of life

3) To help participants develop an understanding of a wide range of natural therapies, and facilitate access to these so they can make an informed choice about health care and in respect to treatment, maintenance of health and prevention of ill health

4) To provide a venue for bringing together carers and people affected by cancer

5) To organise and conduct workshops, conferences, seminars and discussion groups as a means for enabling people to develop skills contributing towards their own healing or healing others

6) To network with other related organisations/institutions and community groups where appropriate and work towards developing a coordinated pool of resources available to members and the public

7) To provide a forum for advocacy and general issues related to cancer that promotes people's right of choice

8) To promote and raise public awareness of the organisation's role and functions

9) To provide health education in the area of 'cancer prevention and wellbeing'.

Mission Statement

This Foundation embraces a holistic approach to healing, incorporating the inter-relationship between 'Mind', 'Body' and 'Spirit' working towards enhancing quality of life and general well being.

The Foundation is committed to:

  • Raising public awareness of options available in natural therapies
  • Empowering people through knowledge, skills and resources to make informed choices about their health care so they may become active participants in their own healing.