GV Health oncology nurse Eva Gauci, panellists and patients Letitia Johnson and Stacey McDermott, and GV Health breast and gynaecological cancer support nurse Melissa Gilmour at this year’s Ladies Who Lunch.
Photo by
Sandra Michalitsis
GV Health Foundation’s current $5 million community fundraising campaign to support a new fully integrated cancer centre in Shepparton has just received a further $100,000 boost, bringing the appeal’s pledges to $1.54 million.
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The $100,000 donated to the I Care for Cancer Care @ GV Health appealwas committed by the Ladies Who Lunch committee when the annual event was staged in Shepparton last weekend.
Around 600 women, and a sprinkling of men, came together on October 25 for a meal, a raffle, an auction and entertainment by comedians Denise Scott and Tegan Higginbotham, who acted as MC on the day, at Shepparton’s Riverlinks Eastbank.
An important part of the sold-out cancer fundraising event, which supports women’s oncology services at GV Health and so far looks to have exceeded last year’s $185,000 raised, is a panel discussion including two oncology nurses from GV Health, Eva Gauci and Melissa Gilmour, joined by two patients from the Goulburn Valley community.
Letitita Johnson and Stacey McDermott took to the stage to share their stories of their diagnoses, experiences and challenges since being diagnosed with cancer.
Ms Gauci quizzed the women on the impact of receiving cancer care close to home.
“Last year we travelled a lot, we travelled for six weeks of radiation, 12 rounds of chemo, and everything in between, so to have more treatment here this year and then be able to be close and they (family and friends) can duck in and out, they can run their errands, they can take their kids to school, and I can still sit here knowing that they’ll be back within half an hour,” Ms Johnson said.
Ms McDermott has been able to access most of her treatment closer to home.
“I've got obviously supportive friends and family, but also it’s allowed me to keep working, because that’s important to me,” she said.
GV Health is the only one of six designated major regional health services in Victoria that doesn’t have an integrated cancer centre.
The $30 million stage one is under way, but a further $90 million is needed for stage two.
GV Health Foundation has been calling on individuals, businesses and community groups to donate to show government decision-makers how invested locals are in seeing the centre come to fruition.
The proposed centre will bring all cancer services under one roof, improving the experience of patients and families and reducing or eliminating their need to travel for treatment.
Funds contributing to the $100,000 Ladies Who Lunch commitment were raised through ticket sales, auction proceeds, raffle ticket sales and merchandise purchases.
GV Health Foundation board chair Stephen Merrylees said the donation demonstrated the extraordinary impact locals had when they rallied behind an important cause.
“Reaching more than $1.5 million ... is an incredible achievement and one that belongs to our community,” Mr Merrylees said.
“The Ladies Who Lunch Committee has once again shown what can be accomplished through dedication, generosity and a genuine commitment to improving cancer care for local patients and families.
“We are deeply grateful for their ongoing support and the generosity of every person who contributed."
Ladies Who Lunch committee members Amy De Paola and Raathika Saranathan.
Photo by
Sandra Michalitsis
Ladies Who Lunch committee co-chair Raathika Saranathan said the committee was “incredibly proud” of the commitment.
"It would not be possible without our attendees, sponsors, donors, volunteers and supporters, who continue to embrace the spirit of giving that makes this event so special," she said.
Donations can be made via the foundation’s website.
