Inala House is a home away form home for Tanya Munro as she undergoes radiation therapy.
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She has been able to continue her studies, video call her family every night, and even watch a movie all thanks to a Wifi installation - a project five years in the making.
"My time here would be very different without the internet," Mrs Munro explained.
"When you are on your own all day, treatment only takes 15 minutes, so that's a lot of day time and evening to be idle."
Seeing her 12-year-old twins, a 10-year-old and her husband every night keeps her going.
The Serendipity Committee funded the project, and was thrilled to be able to provide the hugely important service to women from regional and remote areas staying there.
We have people from all demographics, so some ladies were doing zoom meetings for Pilates, others are continuing their study and downloading their units, and another is working remotely.
- Kate Bowen Inala House
"It's been a project that we've been working it for a little while and persisted with for five years, so it's great to finally see it up and running," Serendipity president Susan Goodwin explained.
"For patients to stay connected with loved ones, with friends, searching online, training, studying, it's keeping life normal."
At the end of last year, opportunity struck to put the plan into action.
The project was team effort between the Serendipity Committee Tamworth, Inala House, NWCC and the team at Telstra Business Technology Centre Northern NSW.
Business owner Chris Ash provided the equipment, installation and technical insights at cost price, overseeing the connection of the NBN to Inala House.
Serendipity covered the cost of installation and have committed to pay the ongoing monthly bills.
Kate Bowen from Inala House said without the WiFi, especially with COVID, the isolation would have been devastating.
"It just so happened the WiFi went in January, so when the pandemic hit in March, it was a pure blessing," she said.
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"We have people from all demographics, so some ladies were doing zoom meetings for Pilates, others are continuing their study and downloading their units, and another is working remotely.
"This has now allowed the patients to be here, continue with normal life. It's been a godsend."
The Serendipity Committee is based Tamworth and has been actively supporting local women with breast cancer for over 26 years.
