The Mid North Coast Cancer Institute (MNCCI) at Port Macquarie has a community library for its patients and their families. This week the popular resource received a massive boost thanks to Port Macquarie’s Pink Girls.
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The group, which helps Port Macquarie Mother’s Day Classic organisers Kylie Bulmer and Carmen Abi-Saab stage the annual fun run at Westport Park, presented the cancer unit with up to 50 new books.
The donation, valued at $1000, includes books about surviving cancer, understanding cancer, patient stories, diet and exercise and complementary therapies.
While 100 per cent of the funds raised from The Westport Club-sponsored fun run go to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, 50 per cent of funds raised by the Pink Girls’ popular Pink Stall on the day go directly to support local breast cancer patients at the MNCCI.
“The Pink Girls is a group of about 40 young women living with and beyond breast cancer,” Ms Bulmer said.
“Two of the group’s members in particular, Magalie Lameloise and Tracy Stone, do a wonderful job of hosting a different pink raffle and stall every year where they sell pink merchandise to the fun run participants and spectators.
“Proceeds from their hard work go to the local cancer unit to directly benefit local cancer patients. They do an awesome job,” Ms Bulmer said.
MNCCI Nursing Unit Manager Jenny Baroutis said the donation was very welcome, especially for patients wanting to know more about their cancer and the experience of other cancer patients and their loved ones.
“The Pink Girls are like family,” Ms Baroutis said.
“It’s lovely to receive their support through this very kind donation, but it’s also wonderful to see the hope and inspiration their gift gives to other patients.
“We are very lucky in this community to have so many people who want to help others, particularly those with a cancer diagnosis.
“Some patients have plenty of support because they have family and friends in the area; others feel they don’t have a network to turn to. In our wonderful community there is always someone or a support group such as the Pink Girls who are willing to step in and provide emotional support.
“The Pink Girls’ gift to our library is very practical support, which is also extremely important.
“Information is empowering, especially for our patients so we are extremely grateful to the Pink Girls for their hard work and support. It makes a difference.”