How Janet Roach is helping burns patients
The Real Housewives of Melbourne star and son Jake Zogoolas on the ‘lightbulb moment’ that led to them starting The Roach Foundation.
Janet Roach and son Jake Zogoolas are looking to extend the work of The Roach Foundation and help more burns patients with their recovery.
Jake, 29, and Janet established the foundation to aid other burns patients after he suffered burns to 70 per cent of his body in an accident in 2011.
It was seeing other patients recovering from their burns that drove Jake’s commitment to starting the foundation, he says.
Since 2011, he has undergone extensive surgeries and treatments to reduce the redness and appearance of his scars, but noticed other burns patients weren’t undertaking the same regimen.
“A patient I knew said she’d love to get treatments done, but she didn’t want to put the pressure on her family as they’re quite expensive,” Jake says.
“I had this lightbulb moment and I wanted to help other people and their families. I believe if you can make them look better then they’ll feel better.”
‘I’m thankful every day for the changes’
One patient they’ve helped is the foundation’s ambassador Brittany Edwards, 22, who suffered burns when she was a teenager.
Brittany has now undergone several laser treatments to change the appearance of her scars.
“I’d accepted my burns the way they were, but the laser treatments have been an amazing plus,” Brittany says.
“I’m thankful every day for the changes.”
I had this lightbulb moment and I wanted to help other people and their families. I believe if you can make them look better then they’ll feel better.
A healing cup of tea
Creating the foundation was made possible after Janet and Jake established Raw Essentials Tea, which has 11 different blends in the medicinal tea range including varieties such as Sleep Tea, Digestive Tea and Energy Tea.
The success of Raw Essentials Tea led to them starting the foundation, which is looking to work with new patients from across Australia.
Proud to be working with her son on the company and foundation, 59-year-old Janet adds it has helped with his recovery.
“For me as a mother to see Jake get back into his life in such a great way – I never thought that we would be where we are now,” Janet says.
How Janet stays healthy
With a hectic schedule juggling her work commitments and filming for The Real Housewives of Melbourne, Janet also makes sure she looks after her own health and wellbeing.
“I’m an avid gardener and always have been,” she says.
“I’ve got a huge vegetable garden with 18 massive beds in it. I like to get in the dirt and I grow a lot of my own herbs. I find it’s very cathartic and therapeutic to be in that calm environment and dealing with plants and nature.”
Janet also takes long walks with her two dogs.
“I walk them every morning and night, so I do plenty of exercise,” Janet says.
“I have a very nice balanced life.”
The Roach Foundation is looking to help new patients and families affected by burns. If you or someone you know could use the assistance of the foundation, send details to [email protected] or call 0413 259 767.
Read more in the House of Wellness winter magazine and Watch Janet Roach talking to the House of Wellness TV team about her experiences with health and healing:
Words by Erin Miller.
