ONE of the giants of the FNQ development industry has dug deep to support cancer patients in the region.
Kenfrost Homes has donated $250,000 towards the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation’s Cancer Care Hub, bringing the total raised so far to $610,000 – almost 40 percent of the total needed.
Kenfrost Homes Marketing Coordinator Alex Loughton said owner John Richardson was inspired by Joyce Swinton’s $250,000 gift last week.
“Cairns needs it for sure. A lot of people find themselves in unfortunate circumstances through no fault of their own. It’s the sort of thing Cairns needs, so we’re on board,” Mr Richardson said.
Foundation CEO Gina Hogan said the Kenfrost Homes donation was a very welcome surprise.
“This comes on the back of the $60,000 that Kenfrost Homes gave us last year for patient Christmas presents and pyjamas and equipment,” Mrs Hogan said.
“It’s a beautiful gift and the momentum we’re gaining is really blowing us away. We knew the community would get behind us. We had a gentleman bring in $1000 in cash – he’s donated before for the endoscopy campaign and we’ve also had quite a few donations come in through the website. We welcome all donations great and small – they all add up to helping us achieve the goal,” she said.
Cairns Hospital Liz Plummer Cancer Care Centre Nurse Unit Manager Jennifer Faulkner was particularly grateful for the gift.
“We see patients every day, we become part of each other’s lives. So to see the business community and individuals coming together to help us help our patients, is really overwhelming. Thank you to Kenfrost Homes,” Ms Faulkner said.
The Foundation’s Cancer Care Hub $1.5 million campaign is gathering steam with more than 40 percent of the funds needed, already raised.
Taking patient care to the next level is the catch-cry of the campaign, which will mean more cancer patients will receive their treatment locally rather than having to travel south, more will live longer with cancer as new treatments are discovered, more can be treated each day, chemotherapy manufacturing will be expanded on site and inpatients will have better outcomes in their treatment experience.
“There has been a 40% increase in cancer activity at the Liz Plummer Cancer Care Centre in the past five years. This is primarily because of the vast array of cancer treatments now available – people are living longer with cancer rather than dying prematurely,” Mrs Hogan said. “Every donation, large and small will make a difference.”
To help, contact the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation or visit www.fnqhf.org.au.
Photo: Liz Plummer Cancer Care Centre Nurse Unit Manager Jennifer Faulkner and Foundation CEO Gina Hogan with Alex Loughton from Kenfrost Homes.
