FOUNDATION FOR HEALTH FOUNDATION FOR HEALTH | WINTER EDITION 2014 RUN MELBOURNE 2014 - we need you! Together we can make a real and lasting difference to quality healthcare. see page 4 2 3 BiliBeds helping new- borns with jaundice. 4 A heartfelt thanks to the Danks Trust. Welcome the Big Red Kidney Bus. 5 Monash Children’s Hospital Cancer Centre reduces waiting times.
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FOUNDATIONFOR HEALTHFOUNDATION FOR HEALTH | WINTER EDITION 2014
RUN MELBOURNE 2014 - we need you!
Together we can make a real and lasting difference to quality healthcare.
see page 4
2 3BiliBeds helping new-borns with jaundice.
4 A heartfelt thanks to the Danks Trust.
Welcome the Big Red Kidney Bus.
5Monash Children’s Hospital Cancer Centre reduces waiting times.
Hello and welcome to the new-look Monash Health Foundation newsletter – Foundation for Health – where we showcase the incredible contributions and care you give, which helps create the foundations for better health. We want to show you the difference your support has on the lives of the people we care for, celebrate the gift you bring to them, and let you know of the opportunities and challenges that we can face together. We know how important the support of family and loved ones is for our patients in their treatment. Similarly, the care and support we have from you is paramount in providing a world of healthcare at Monash Health. As we head into the second half of 2014, we are excited to be starting the construction of our new Monash
Children’s Hospital and engaging in a number remarkable fundraising initiatives, including the Celebrate Life Ball, hosted by Nicole Kidman. These stories and more are contained in this issue. I invite you to consider a tax deductible donation to the Monash Health Foundation at this time of year. Just $30 will support our Monash Women’s Bilibed appeal, $300 will support a Play Therapist for a day, $550 will support leading nephrology research for a day, $2,500 will purchase a round-the-clock cardiac monitor and a donation of $50,000 will create a supportive parenting room for new parents. Together, we can provide exceptional care and outstanding outcomes. This is our vision, I and I’m pleased you could join us on this special journey.
Shelly Park, CE, Monash Health
YOU CAN HELP MUMS BOND WITH THEIR SICK BABIES
“Why is my child yellow? Why are you taking her away?” This is a common question asked by mothers with a newborn that has been diagnosed with jaundice. You can imagine the pain and worry at a time when there should be joy. Natahl Ball, a midwife at the Dandenong Hospital of Monash Health, has seen the hurt too often.“It’s an awful feeling to have to take a sick newborn away from its mum,” Natahl says.
Jaundice can bring serious health risks to a newborn child, with potential to disrupt the critical bonding time between mother and baby. Jaundice occurs in 60% of babies and is caused by the build-up of a chemical called bilirubin in the baby’s liver which causes a yellowy tinge in the eyes and skin. Many babies recover naturally as their liver grows and can process the bilirubin, some require treatment to prevent potentially life long problems.
Budney Lim has been a midwife for seven years and recently gave birth to her first child, Ethan, in March 2014.“It was so lovely being on the other side of the bed, but painful”, Budney said.Ethan developed jaundice shortly after birth and had to be kept in a special isolette under blue lights all day in a separate room within Special Care Nursery.
“It was a difficult walk to get to the nursery every three hours to try and have skin-to-skin contact and breast feed. At night time it was more difficult because you’re half asleep and exhausted,” said Budney.
“When Ethan wasn’t in the room I missed him so much. You have that bond, as soon as they are born they are put on your chest and you just look into each other’s eyes. Then all of a sudden, he is in an isolette in another room and you can only touch his hand through the box.”
Last Mother’s Day the Monash Health Foundation began raising funds for a BiliBed at Casey and Dandenong Hospitals where every year about 4,100 babies are born, so new mums and babies like Budney and Ethan can spend those first special days together.
To support the treatment of babies with jaundice, please make a donation to Monash Health using the tear-off form in this newsletter or online at www.monashhealth.org/donate or phone us on (03) 9594 2700.
BiliBeds – helping newborns with jaundice.
MESSAGE FROM SHELLY
FOUNDATION FOR HEALTH | Winter Edition 2014 www.monashhealth.org / www.facebook.com/MonashHealth2
Team Sonny Days
Patients and families are grateful for the opportunities the Big Red Kidney Bus will bring.
Vince Tripodi had a dream. He wanted to go on holidays with his family. However Vince, like all dialysis patients, was restricted to a regimented routine of dialysis treatment.
Vince dreamt of a mobile dialysis unit that could go to popular holiday destinations, like Lakes Entrance, so people with kidney failure requiring life sustaining treatment, could enjoy a change of scenery and create new memories with their families and friends. On 14 March 2014, World Kidney Day, the Minister for Health David Davis officially launched Kidney Health Australia’s Big Red Kidney Bus with Latrobe Valley Bus lines and Monash Health.
“Monash Health is proud to be a partner and bring this wonderful program to the Australian Kidney community,” said Professor Peter Kerr, Director of Nephrology at Monash Health. “This initiative will give patients the flexibility to get away and take a break, something that many of us take for granted, and ultimately will lead to a better quality of life.” Sadly Mr Tripodi and two other members of the original group passed away before they could see their dream become a reality. All donors have dreams – they are the same dreams we have, for those that are ill to be healthy and enjoy life. So
we think donors like you and people like Vince are pretty special. What’s your dream? The dream of Professor Kerr and his team is to stop kidney failure and find a cure for transplant rejection. We would like to invite you to join Monash Health Nephrology team and support their dream with a donation to their important research.
WELCOME THE BIG RED KIDNEY BUS
FUNDRAISING FOR MONASH CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL
WHAT’S YOUR DREAM?
EVERY STEP COUNTS
The second inaugural Friends of the Children Foundation ‘Walk for Monash Children’s Hospital’, was held in Jells Park on Sunday 2 March 2014.
The event was a great success, raising over $30,000 to purchase eight new fold-out parent beds for children’s wards at Monash Medical Centre. The beds will help parents sleep comfortably by their child’s bedside when spending the night in hospital.
Among the 400 participants who gathered that morning were two large teams who stood out. Wearing their own team shirts and singlets representing their respective teams, they had been driven to achieve incredible fundraising results through their own personal experiences with Monash Children’s Hospital.
Team Sonny Days, named after 10-month-old Sonny Millier, raised
over $4,754. A result which was beyond anything Sonny’s Mum Heidi could have imagined.
“We wanted to help Monash Children’s Hospital because of all they have done for Sonny. He has been in and out of the hospital since he was born and has struggled with life-threatening respiratory illnesses,” she said.
“I never expected that we would have such an incredible response, but the community
of Sale, where I live, really got behind it and supported Sonny.”
Team Xavier Tillydog did an amazing job, raising close to $3,000 for Monash Children’s Hospital in recognition of the care their six year old son, Xavier, has received since being diagnosed with cancer in January 2014.
The success of the 2014 Walk for Monash Children’s Hospital was due to the tremendous support of the 400 wonderful individuals and teams supporting the event on the day and in the lead up.
Our sincere thanks to the Friends of the Children Foundation who did a terrific job in organising the event once again. All their hard work and support of Monash Children’s Hospital is something that is truly appreciated and greatly admired.
FOUNDATION FOR HEALTH | Winter Edition 2014 www.monashhealth.org / www.facebook.com/MonashHealth 3
The Danks Trust generously funded the refurbishment of an apartment for Aboriginal families to have a safe home away from home close to the hospital, so they can provide the vital support required for a patient’s recovery and wellbeing.
When Elder Aunty Pat Ockwell put her arms around Professor Danks, Head of Neurosurgery at Monash Health, it was a gesture of heartfelt joy and thanks. The apartment located adjacent to Monash Medical Centre is designed to make things easier for Aboriginal family members and improve access to healthcare. The Danks Trust was established by the grandfather of Professor Andrew Danks. Like so many of
our forefathers who shared a great vision for the future of Victoria, his grandfather established The Danks Trust so that philanthropic grants could make a difference to the lives of others for many decades into the future. Leanne Summer, Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officer, was overcome with emotion at the opening of the apartment called ‘Wilim’ (meaning peace), from the Wurundjeri land council. “This means so much to the community – having family members close by can sometimes be the difference between people coming here for treatment or deciding not to come. It is a dream come true for our Aboriginal community and is the second such facility in Melbourne. Let’s hope that others follow this example of support.”Professor Andrew Danks with Elder Aunty
Pat Ockwell.
RUN MELBOURNE 2014
WE NEED YOU!
Join the 2014 Monash Children’s Hospital Run Melbourne team.Walk or run 5km, 10km or half marathon, bring your family and friends.
How to join:
Step 1 Sign up for Run Melbourne on the Everyday Hero websiteStep 2 Make sure you join the ‘Monash Children’s Hospital’ team by followingthis link https://runmelbourne2014.everydayhero.com/au/mch-2014Step 3 Encourage your friends and family to support your efforts and raise funds for Monash Children’s Hospital
The Age Run Melbourne will be held on Sunday 27 July at Federation Square and this year the Monash Children’s Hospital teams are aiming to raise $30,000.
Run Melbourne is a great way to spend a Sunday in support of a charity of your choice. Run to beat your personal best time or have a leisurely stroll with friends and family. Categories include the 3km kids (Saturday 26 July), or the 5km and 10km walk/run categories. Mother Sheri will be running the 10km half marathon for the first time in her life, in memory of someone very special.
“There’s no better job than being a mum. Recently, I set one of the biggest challenges of my life - completing a half marathon in Run Melbourne. I would like to raise funds for the Monash Children’s Hospital in memory of my daughter Scarlett. She is the source of my strength, my focus and my inspiration,” Sheri said.
“In Scarlett’s final days, Monash Children’s Hospital staff treated my family with wonderful compassion, respect and care. I hope that no family ever has to deal with a sick child and I think it’s great that they are building a new children’s hospital in our area. I’ve set myself a $700 target and would appreciate all your help.”
By the first week in July 2014 Sheri had already raised $1,500.
CREATING A SAFE HOME AWAY FROM HOME
A HEARTFELT THANKS TO THE DANKS TRUST
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Seven-year-old cancer survivor Charlie Garcia had the honour of proudly cutting the ribbon at the official opening the Monash Children’s Hospital Cancer Centre expansion on 20 February 2014. The redevelopment, made possible thanks to the generosity of donors, has added more room and greater comfort for our young cancer patients. “By expanding our centre, we are not only providing patients with more comfort, but we will also be able to reduce waiting times and enable more children to receive treatment close to their home – which is tremendously important,” said Chief Executive of Monash Health, Ms Shelly Park.
The opening was an opportunity to invite long-time supporters of the Monash Children’s Hospital Cancer Centre and thank them for their incredible ongoing support and celebrate this wonderful and much needed new space. Children’s Cancer Centre Foundation Chief Executive Officer, Aileen Boyd-Squires, organiser of charity golf day ‘Bailey’s Day’ Patrick Tessier, Program Director of Koala Kids, Mandy Mandie and Members of the Bayside Blue Healers all joined in the celebrations. This expansion was largely made possible thanks to the generosity of a very special woman who was determined to help sick children before she sadly passed away last year. It was very moving to have members of her family there on the day to see the difference she made to the lives of so many children.
Charlie asked his friends and family to donate money to the Monash Hospital Children’s Cancer Centre instead of buying him presents for his seventh birthday. Charilie proudly donated $529 for cancer research. “I did it so hopefully other children don’t have to go what I went through,” he says. Charlie has completed his treatment and now just comes in for check ups.
Charlie was all too happy to try out the celebrational cake at the launch.
SUPPORT THE GOOD WORK OF MONASH HEALTH
By the first week in July 2014 Sheri had already raised $1,500.
NEW EXPANSION REDUCES WAITING TIMES
MONASH CHILDREN’SHOSPITAL CANCER CENTRE
DONATE NOW
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The generosity of our supporters and partners helps ensure Monash Health provides exceptional health care to our patients and their families.
Please complete the attached donation form and return to Monash Health Foundation - every dollar helps to deliver our vision of exceptional care and outstanding outcomes.
LEAVING A GIFT IN YOUR WILL
If you have included Monash Health in your will please let us know as we would welcome the opportunity to thank you personally.
Janene Blanchfield Brown DSJ MFIAMonash Health Foundation03 9594 2063 [email protected]
On 13 June 2014, the Melbourne Grand Hyatt played host to one of the biggest fundraising events in Australia, the Swisse Celebrate Life Ball hosted by Nicole Kidman. The glamorous ball is the inaugural event of the Celebrate Life Foundation - proceeds from the night will support the new Monash Children’s Hospital.
The Ball is the first major event for the Celebrate Life Foundation, which supports charity programs that inspire wellness throughout the community.
Patients, families and staff were treated to a surprise visit by Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban at the Monash Children’s Hospital. Before the couple were due to appear at the
CELEBRATE LIFE MASQUERADE BALL
Proudly supporting the Monash Children’s Hospital
ball, they stopped in and visited a number of children’s wards and spoke to staff and families. The highlight of the visit was an unplugged acoustic performance by Keith, singing Amazing Grace to all on the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
Nicole said that as a mother herself, she didn’t think twice about supporting the event.
“I am pleased to be able to lend my support to the wonderful work of the children’s hospitals and in particular to the inaugural Celebrate Life Ball,” she said.
“As a mum, and as any parent would agree, there is nothing more important in life than the good health and happiness of your child.”
Corporate Australia jumped on board to support the event. Supporters included Swisse, Qantas, the Nine Network, Laurent Perrier, Audi Centre Melbourne and Zagame Automotive, Wolf Blass and Grand Hyatt Melbourne.
Guests enjoyed an evening of stunning food, French champagne, world-class entertainment, live fundraising auctions and performances by Jessica Mauboy and Timomatic.
Image supplied by Swisse Vitamins.
For many people wanting to give to others, the idea of making a donation can seem like an impossible and daunting process. Funds are not always easy to come by and deciding who to donate to and how can be difficult. But Mr and Mrs Neville found a way.
In 2002, both Mr and Mrs Neville were treated for heart conditions at Monash Health’s MonashHeart in Clayton.
“I’m so grateful for the treatment and care we received. I will never forget how much the staff helped us during that tough time. We wanted to find a way to support the hospital, but as pensioners, weren’t sure how best to do it,” Mr Neville said.
Sadly, recently Mr and Mrs Neville
passed away and shortly afterwards MonashHeart received a generous donation from the sale of the estate.
This tremendous gift-in-will from the Nevilles will help fund new equipment and services at MonashHeart, allowing them to continue to provide the highest level of care to the people who need it the most.
For a donor, it is an incredibly selfless gesture to consider others after you have provided for your family and loved ones. Gift-in-wills are a great way to support a cause that may have been important to you over your lifetime and to make a positive difference to others in need.
The Monash Health Foundation will continue to acknowledge the
generosity our supporters have made and the legacy they leave behind long after they have gone.
GENEROUSLY FUNDING NEW EQUIPMENT
GIFT FROM THE HEART
FOUNDATION FOR HEALTH | Winter Edition 2014 www.monashhealth.org / www.facebook.com/MonashHealth6
LEAVING A GIFT IN YOUR WILL
If you would like to share your special occasion with a gift in celebration please go to www.monashhealth.org or contact Kathryn Fisher on (03) 9594 7681.
For more information or for tickets: www.celebratelifefoundation.org.au
For some, turning the big “five-zero” is confronting; a reminder that time is passing all too quickly and the autumn years are just around the corner. But for me, turning 50 was something to embrace and celebrate with enthusiasm – I am a survivor!
I was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer just after my 45th birthday, so the prospect of actually reaching 50 at times seemed a distant hope. Now, five years down the track, I am grateful for my second chance at life, and no longer take the ‘little’ things for granted.
With a December birthday, celebrating had not been a high priority over the years. In fact, I had not actually celebrated my birthday since turning 21. With this in mind, I decided to go ‘all out’ and host a special ‘Think Pink’ 50th Party.
Held at the Brentwood Community Centre in Glen Waverley, my family and friends went all out in decorating the venue in pink. DJ Cam donated his time and equipment, pumping out music from 70s classics through to today’s ‘just have to dance’ tracks. Cam also put on the final touches with an awesome lighting display.
This was a time of celebration. Everyone present had made a contribution to my survival. From the support of my family through to the wry humour of friends, who never allowed me to feel sorry for myself, or forget those priceless moments in time. But it was also an opportunity to give something back. I have two very special people in my life, my daughter Nicola and my son, Benjamin (Ben). Without the professional expertise and support
NOT TAKING THE ‘LITTLE’ THINGS FOR GRANTED by Julie
JULIE’S STORY
from the medical and nursing staff associated with Moorabbin Hospital, I would not have been here, proudly watching Nicola and Ben mature into the independent and responsible individuals they are becoming.
I had one wish for my birthday – that I could do something that would help others struggling with this cruel and indiscriminate disease. I asked my family and friends to share in my vision, by making a donation towards the purchase of an iPhone for the Breast Care Nurses. We placed pink envelopes and donation slips beside the ‘Hope Tree’ with special pink pegs to attach these hope filled envelopes to the tree. I was truly humbled by
the generosity of these special people in my life. We raised enough to cover the purchase on an iPhone – hopefully in a brilliant pink case!
I am lucky. I had the benefit of an exceptionally talented medical and surgical team, backed by caring, professional nursing staff at Monash, experts in the field of caring for cancer patients. While it is not a journey that I willingly undertook, thanks to the combined efforts of all these wonderful people, I have the opportunity to continue along my path, enjoying all that life has to offer.
FOUNDATION FOR HEALTH | Winter Edition 2014 www.monashhealth.org / www.facebook.com/MonashHealth 7
TIMINGALWAYS BE ON TIME
A TRULY REWARDING COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP
Lions Club of Oakleigh representatives Mr Brian Ormsby and Dr Kate Bristow, and Professor Barbara Workman – Medical Director, Rehabilitation and Aged Care Services and Chair of the Lions John Cockayne Memorial Fellowship Trust Fund Committee.
Calls for applications are announced in September each year.
For more details please see the Lions John Cockayne Memorial Fellowship Trust Fund website: www.monashhealth.org/page/Research/monarc/ljcmftf/
THE LIONS JOHN COCKAYNE MEMORIAL FELLOWSHIP TRUST
Our community partnership with the Lions Club of Oakleigh is dedicated to advancing aged care through research and travelling fellowships for Monash Health employees in rehabilitation and aged care services. Research activity focusses on conditions associated with ageing and the elderly.
The Lions John Cockayne Memorial Fellowship Trust Fund was established many years ago with donations from the Oakleigh Lions Club Elderly People’s Home Inc. and Monash Health. The interest generated is allocated yearly to support research activities in the area of aged care.
Mr Norm Fidge of the Lions Club of Oakleigh had been a Trust Fund committee member since 1996 when the Trust was formed. Sadly Norm passed away in November 2013. Lions Club of Oakleigh representatives Dr Kate Bristow and Mr Brian Ormsby presented a cheque for $25,000 from the Trust Fund in memory of Norm Fidge. The funds will be added to the principal of the Trust Fund and will be an enduring legacy.
In the past four years the Trust Fund has supported seventeen research projects and nine travel fellowships. These include a trial of a new treatment for diabetes-related foot ulcers; a study of the language needs of residents from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds with dementia in aged care facilities; an investigation of the role of doctors and GPs in the provision of falls prevention information to older adults; and travel to the World Union of Wound Healing Societies Conference in Yokohama, Japan.
Mr Gary Hannah, a grade three allied health assistant working in the physiotherapy department at Kingston Centre, Monash Medical Centre and Moorabbin Hospital has been awarded a travelling fellowship. Gary will attend the conference Implementing the Calderdale Framework,”to be held in Edinburgh in June 2014. He is one of four funding recipients for 2014.
As an acknowledged leader in the Allied Health Assistant (AHA) leadership group Gary will work with the newly appointed AHA Advisor for Monash Health, Annette Davis, to develop an implementation plan to progress extended task roles, using the Calderdale framework, in the rehabilitation setting at Kingston Centre. This will be added to the broader Allied Health Assistant workforce strategic plan for Monash Health and will be an excellent outcome from this fellowship.