Three people standing in front of a banner... one holding a certificate.

Kirsty Baxter from the MNCCI accepted a grant funded by a donation to the HCT through the Port City Bowling Club Community Grants Grants program for the purchase of two saddle seats and a HemoCure analyser. Representing the club were Katy-Lee Waldron and David Gearing.

Trust invests $97,000 in local cancer support

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Nov 14, 2024

The Mid North Coast Local Health District (MNCLHD) has extended its gratitude to the Hastings Cancer Trust for $97,000 in grant funding dedicated to improving essential care and support for local cancer and palliative care patients.

Most of the grants announced by the Trust will go to support Mid North Coast Cancer Institute (MNCCI), Port Macquarie Base and Wauchope District Memorial Hospital patients.

Acting Chief Executive Jill Wong expressed her deep appreciation for the support.

“This remarkable donation strengthens our ability to provide compassionate and high-quality care to patients in our community,” Ms Wong said.

“The Hastings Cancer Trust’s unwavering commitment to enhancing patient care and quality of life has a profound and lasting impact, and we are sincerely grateful for their generosity.”

This year’s grant allocations support a range of impactful projects and resources, including:

$6,720 for two saddle seats and a HemoCue for MNCCI
$11,100 for a speech pathology-led swallowing assessment service at MNCCI and Port Macquarie Base Hospital
$10,000 for Healing on Country gatherings for Aboriginal women, promoting culturally sensitive care
$14,757.60 for a hydraulic-assist lay-back commode shower chair for the Wauchope Palliative Care Unit
$1,572.57 for PICC line shower covers for MNCCI patients
$7,500 for oxygen concentrators to assist palliative care patients
$17,000 to create a culturally supportive space for Aboriginal palliative care patients and families at Wauchope District Memorial Hospital
$10,000 for cancer awareness days in Aboriginal communities
$1,500 for an advanced trainee oncologist to attend a conference

$3,000 for travel vouchers enabling nurses to enhance their skills at cancer care conferences

These initiatives directly address critical patient needs and provide vital support for staff training, reinforcing MNCLHD’s commitment to delivering comprehensive and culturally sensitive healthcare.

“None of this would be possible without the dedication of the Trust’s remarkable volunteers, the Friends of the Hastings Cancer Trust, and the Trust’s generous donors,” Ms Wong said.

“In the past 19 years, Hastings Cancer Trust’s steadfast support has touched thousands of lives in our region.

“Words cannot fully convey our gratitude, but we hope our actions – our dedication to providing the best care possible to our community – reflect the profound impact of Hastings Cancer Trust’s generosity,” Ms Wong said.

To view more photos from the evening, please click on the image below and scroll through the library.

: MNCCI’s Simone Smith accepts two grants aimed at Closing the Gap in Aboriginal health care from Mel Cockshutt and Bec Hoschke of Heart of Courage.

: Mel Cockshutt and Bec Hoschke of Heart of Courage with social worker Cody Morris of Wauchope Palliative Care Unit. The grant will help create a culturally safe space for Aboriginal patients and their families.

: Pauline Smith and Dan Abel from the Community Palliative Care team accepted a grant certificate of $7,642 from Kristian Murphy of HEM for the purchase of three oxygen concentrators and one portable oxygen concentrator.

: Brendon and Kate Roods from Emerald Downs Golf Course present Wauchope Palliative Care Nurse Unit Manager Mary Trotter with $14,757 for a hydraulic assist layback commode shower chair.

: Selwyn and Jeannie Peake from George & Matilda Eyecare present Kris Jurd of MNCCI with a grant for PICC line shower covers.

: Chris Kirkman, the area manager of Angove Family Winemakers presents $11,100 to Klint Goers and Rachel Hathaway representing MNCCI and PMBH speech pathology team. The grant will be used to purchase a Nasendoscope, a piece of equipment not previously available in the local health district.

: Raelene Myers, representing new supporter of the HCT, Essential Energy, presented Dr Stephen Begbie with a certificate for $1,500 which will support a young local cancer professional to attend a conference that will enhance their skills.