The Hastings Cancer Trust has distributed over $60,000 to help fund a range of services relating to cancer patient care.
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The presentation was on Wednesday November 8.
The grants will be used to assist programs in Port Macquarie, Kempsey and the wider Mid-North Coast region.
There were 12 successful applicants.
Trust chair Dr Stephen Begbie praised the Port Macquarie – and Mid-North Coast – community for their generosity in helping tackle the challenges of battling cancer.
“Everyone is aware that the world is a challenging place, and that cancer is only one of those challenges,” he said.
“It is a privilege to be part of a community that tackles its challenges together and with generosity and with teamwork.
“I’ve only been part of the Trust for 13 years but have been associated with other activities in this city for the last 20 years. It is wonderful to be part of this Trust and to witness how it has worked successfully in this community.”
Dr Begbie encouraged people to become involved in the Trust and its work.
It is a privilege to be part of a community that tackles its challenges together and with generosity and with teamwork.
- Dr Stephen Begbie
He also praised the many fundraising activities undertaken on behalf of the Trust which ‘added to our capacity to give out grants this year’.
One of the Trust’s aims is to achieve nationally recognised, best practice standards of cancer care, facilities and research, without patients needing to seek treatment in metropolitan areas such as Newcastle and Sydney.
Donations and fundraising have allowed the Trust to grant almost $1,000,000 since 2005 through its annual grants program, providing supplementary funding for projects and needs beyond the scope of ongoing Government funding for cancer services.
All funds received are administered by trustees, who are local people, aiming to fund local cancer projects on the basis of their value to the community.
Operated entirely by volunteers and without premises, every cent raised for the Trust goes to helping the community. Importantly, all funds raised stay in our local area.
Grant recipients are:
- Rotary Lodge – Phil Hafey accepted the grant which will cover 50 per cent funding towards the purchase of 12 new sofas for the new 12 room extension to Rotary Lodge at Port Macquarie.
- Wauchope District Memorial Hospital – Received funding for conference attendance for three staff and backfill to release eight other team members to attend a fatigue and breathlessness workshop. Mary Trotter from the palliative care unit accepted the grant.
- Mid North Coast Cancer Institute – Jamie Marjoribanks, Leah Burton and Melissa Turner accepted a grant to fund a prescribed specialised oncology exercise program for 60 patients at the MNCCI.
- Local health district – Pauline Green accepted the funding on behalf of Mid North Coast Local Health District for 250 patient personal items bags and other palliative care items.
- Clinical trial unit – The Mid North Coast Cancer Institute’s Cheryl Rine accepted the grant for contribution toward the purchase of an ECG machine for clinical trial participants.
- Kempsey Palliative Care – The funding will help purchase four pressure cushions for palliative care.
- Base hospital emergency department – Emergency registrar Dr David Thomson was presented funding toward equipment to fit out EMU1 to deliver emergency palliative care inpatient services for cancer patients and their families.
- Hastings Home Hospice – Marita Crighton and Lillian Andrews accepted a grant to fund the purchase of two syringe drivers for palliative care.
- Breast cancer support – Received funding to one years’ monthly room rent at Port Macquarie Library for Port Macquarie-Hastings Breast Cancer Support Group meetings.
- Macleay Valley Home Hospice – Margarette Russell said funding will be used to purchase six lightweight wheelchairs for palliative care.
- Base hospital – Port Macquarie Base Hospital anaesthetics will use the funding toward the purchase of a subcutaneous CO2 monitor to benefit lung cancer patients.
- Friends – Stephen Thomas and Hazel Kirby accepted their grant on behalf of the Friends of the Hastings Cancer Trust for essential fundraising resources.