AN anonymous local donor has paved the way for improved outcomes for Atherton cancer patients.
Atherton Hospital Day Oncology Nurse Unit Manager Leonie Jennings said the generous benefactor approached her, asking what he could do to help make a difference for others.
Stunned, she replied that an ultrasound to help cannulate patients with weak veins, and four extra chemotherapy chairs, would be of huge benefit.
“He donated the full amount of $104,000 to the Atherton Hospital Friends of the Foundation which was incredibly generous,” Ms Jennings said.
“The ultrasound means our trained nurses can cannulate patients themselves, without having to wait for a doctor from another department, and the new chairs give us greater flexibility and this is a great win for patients – they come with charging stations, which is important when you’re having treatment for up to eight hours,” she said.
The Atherton South Ward also has benefited from the local community’s generosity, with the arrival of new hospital beds, specifically for palliative care patients.
The four additional beds feature scales, integrated air mattresses and can even transfer a patient from lying flat to a fully upright position.
Purchased by the Atherton Friends of the Hospital Foundation, the beds also enable staff to gently and smoothly tilt the patient with minimal physical effort, helping prevent pressure injuries.
At a cost of more than $96,000, Atherton FOF branch president Mary Fitzsimons said the beds were purchased with the proceeds from the Atherton auxiliary, auction of aged hospital equipment, cent sales, Atherton Rotary donation and other fundraising activities.
“It’s really rewarding when we see the benefits of our hard work come to fruition like this. We’re making a difference in our local community – it could be us, our loved ones or our neighbours who use this equipment and we’re grateful for the incredible support we receive.
“Kudos too to our amazing ladies who run bingo every week at the Atherton International Club – week in, week out they are not only providing a great service to the community, but helping fundraise for equipment such as this,” Mrs Fitzsimons said.
The Atherton Friends are a subsidiary of the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation, a registered charity that fundraises for local hospitals from Tully to the Torres Strait.
TOP: Registered nurse Jodye Peterson with Atherton Friends of the Foundation Volunteers Tony Birch, Jo Barnes, Nurse Unit Manager Leonie Jennings and Atherton FOF president Mary Fitzsimons with the new ultrasound and one of the new oncology chairs.
BELOW: Atherton Friends volunteers Jo Barnes (seated) with Tony Birch, Mary Fitzsimons and Nurse Unit Manager Leonie Jennings.
