The Canobolas Lions Club’s Lyn Ward championed a drive to fundraise for medical equipment to diagnose prostate cancer at Orange hospital. 

The club raised $100,000 through barbecues, donations and the auction of a steer.

The NSW Government will match the money with a $108,000 grant.

Mrs Ward took up the cause after her husband Paddy Ward was diagnosed with prostate cancer eight years ago.

“I’m a firm believer in promoting men’s health because I don’t think they look after themselves,” Mrs Ward said.

“It’s been amazing the generosity of people.”

Parliamentary Secretary for Western NSW Rick Colless said the new device would save lives.

“Men in Orange and surrounding communities have had to travel to Sydney usually to get a proper biopsy undertaken to diagnose prostate cancer,” he said.

“With the fundraising efforts of the Orange Canobolas Lions Club, and support of the NSW Government, we now have Trans Perineal Grid Guided Biopsy Equipment located at the Western Local Health District in Orange.

“This device is not only essential to diagnosing prostate cancer, but also has the potential advantage of providing a much lower risk of getting an infection,” Mr Colless said.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosis for Australian men.