SERVICE clubs across the Central West took a big leap of faith in backing the Western Care Lodge and during Sunday’s inspection, they were not disappointed.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The lodge is not in their communities - for some, it’s hundreds of kilometres away - yet they have all contributed significant amounts, all from raffles, mini lotteries and other grassroots activites.
One of the service clubs from Cargo and Cudal has generated $100,000 despite very small populations in its feeder towns.
The effort shows how important it is to cut the distance patients have to travel for cancer treatment.
The proof was in the pudding when Dr Stuart Porges told the service clubs the Central West Cancer Care Centre was meeting radiotherapy treatment targets for patients within 100 kilometres.
Now Cancer Care Western NSW wants to increase the number of patients on clinical trials from 1 per cent to 10 per cent.
Clinical trials are crucial for the progression of cancer treatment overall and can help oncologists when there are multiple treatment options.
The possibility of immunotherapy drug trials to activate the body’s own immune response against cancer is exciting in contrast to the hair loss and nausea associated with chemotherapy.
The fact that many of the service clubs who attended the presentation will continue their efforts and donate to a drug trial clinic shows they agree.
Orange’s community does its fair share of fund-raising for health services, but it can be confident it is not alone.