BUSINESS people sitting in wheelchairs have made a difference to the lives of sick children in Cairns Hospital.
The annual Give Me 5 For Kids campaign, held in conjunction with Southern Cross Austereo, last year provided almost $17,000 worth of equipment that has just been handed over.
An i-STAT blood analyser worth almost $11,000 and a sofa bed for parents worth almost $6000, will make a big difference to the stay of children in hospital in Cairns, children’s ward Nurse Unit Manager Caroline Witter said.
“The i-STAT machine performs blood analysis at the point of care. This means we can access results immediately in those acutely unwell patients, rather than send blood samples off to pathology for analysis,” Ms Witter said.
“This will allow nursing and medical staff to have immediate access to blood results, enabling specific treatments to start immediately,” she said. The parent bed is to allow for one parent/carer to stay overnight with their child, as the staff practice family-centred care on the ward.
“It is fantastic that we are able to offer these parents a comfortable bed to sleep on so that they can remain with their child overnight. The paediatric and adolescent ward is very appreciative of the community who are fantastic in providing these children and young people with equipment so we continue to provide the best possible care to them,” Ms Witter said.
Foundation CEO Tony Franz said the community’s support of sick children in hospital was always heart-warming. “It’s a sad fact of life that we might all need the services of Cairns Hospital at some point, so it is wonderful to see the business community coming together to support others – you never know, one day it might be your child or grandchild in hospital and we can all make a difference,” Mr Franz said.
Cairns 99.5 Triple M general manager Gina Hogan said the station was passionate about its listeners, the local life and giving back to the community. “Our region is full of heart, we greatly appreciate everyone who participated in Give Me 5 For Kids events and those who made donations,” Ms Hogan said. “It’s a pleasure to work with the Foundation and assist in raising much needed funds for our local hospital as well as sick children and their families when they need it most,” she said.
Give Me 5 For Kids kicks off in Cairns in June with Cairns On A Fork – from 3pm on Saturday, June 17 at West Barlow Park, a family fun day, from 10am, also on June 17 at Tobruk Pool, and the Premiere of Cars 3 at 2pm on Saturday, June 25 at Birch Carroll and Coyle Stockland Earlville.
Photo: Mark and Juanita and Gina Hogan from Cairns 99.5 Triple M, help Cairns Hospital paediatric ward Nurse Unit Manager Caroline Witter relax in the new parent bed.
