WIMMERA Health Care Group Foundation has encouraged residents to ‘give where they live’ to help achieve its aim of a state-of-the-art oncology unit for Horsham.
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The foundation announced last week that delivering high quality cancer services to Wimmera and southern Mallee residents was its number one priority.
It also announced it had reached its $1 million target – set in 2011 – eight months early.
Foundation deputy chairwoman Denise Leembruggen said while this was a wonderful achievement, the foundation’s work was ongoing.
“We have developed what we think is a clear ‘2020 Vision’ of where we want to be by the year 2020 and how we’re going to get there,” she said.
“Part of that vision is this fabulous project – we want to work together with the community to help make it a reality.”
The foundation has launched Foundation500Plus to achieve its aim.
The initiative carries on from Foundation500, which was established in 2011 to help the foundation reach the target amount by the end of 2014.
It involved businesses and individuals committing to an annual donation of $500 or more throughout a four-year period.
“The 45 inaugural Foundation500 donors are due to make the last donation of their four-year commitment by the end of this financial year,” Mrs Leembruggen said.
“What we’re asking the inaugural members to consider, in light of this fantastic project, is to continue to ‘give where you live’ by pledging to become a Foundation500Plus gold or platinum member, starting in the next financial year.”
Those who sign up to Foundation500Plus will commit to annual donations for five years.
Gold members will donate between $500 and $999 a year, while platinum members will donate $1000 or more.
“We think it’s a very worthy consideration,” Mrs Leembruggen said.
“We all know that cancer touches everybody’s lives and we want to ensure the patients undergoing chemotherapy in Horsham do so in the most comfortable and appealing surroundings possible.
"It’s the very least we can do for our patients and our families.”
Like Foundation500 members, Foundation500Plus members will be acknowledged on an honour board in Wimmera Base Hospital’s foyer.
Mrs Leembruggen said people could also make one-off, tax deductable donations of more than $2.
“With any donation to the foundation you have the satisfaction of knowing the money stays in our community and will remain working for the foundation – and the hospital – for years ahead,” she said.
Mrs Leembruggen said people could visit www.whcgfoundation.org .au or call administrator Anne Bothe on 5381 9098 for more information.
