Ray of Hope Shines for Breast Cancer

$1 Million fundraising goal achieved to put mobile breast cancer screening van for Western Sydney on road by next year.

August 20th 2010; The Ray of Hope fundraising campaign reached its goal of raising $1 million to put a state-of-the-art digital, mobile BreastScreen NSW van for Western Sydney on the road next year. The aim of the BreastScreen Program is to reduce deaths from breast cancer detecting the disease early.

Last night’s Ray of Hope Dinner, attended by the Premier of NSW Kristina Keneally, raised $200,000 thanks to support from attendees and its corporate sponsors. Additionally, Federal Government support through the NSW Cancer Institute and Breastscreen NSW has assisted with funding for the digital mammography unit for the mobile van.

This is a great achievement for a small group of private individuals, who have been working tirelessly to raise funds to establish a mobile BreastScreen Service in Western Sydney.

Senior Staff Specialist Westmead Hospital Cancer Care, Professor Nicholas Wilcken said the Westmead Breast Cancer Institute has been working towards achieving the mobile BreastScreen project for two years.

Professor Wilcken said, “We are ecstatic with the private and public support we have achieved through the Ray of Hope campaign this year. With this funding The Westmead Breast Cancer Institute will be able to provide mobile breast cancer screening by mid 2011 to women in Western Sydney communities.

“Numerous international trials have shown that regular screening mammography reduces breast cancer deaths, especially in the over fifties.

“The support shown by the NSW Cancer Institute is further testimony to the worthiness of this cause and the need to increase breast screening participation by women of Western Sydney.

“BreastScreen NSW’s allocation of funds will significantly contribute to getting the new digital breast screening van up and running in western Sydney next year,” Professor Wilcken said.

Karen Vamos, from the Fundraising Committee for Ray of Hope said, “We are so grateful for all contributions, time and funds donated to this worthy cause. Particularly the work of our multi award winning artists including Suey McEnnally, Sophie Gralton, Laura Matthews and Peter Francis Lawrence, who donated their precious artworks to be auctioned and raffled on the night.

Ray of Hope would like to thank its official sponsors; Principal Sponsor Arab Bank Australia, Gold Sponsor and Principal Print Partner Geon Print and Communications, Gold Sponsors Novartis Oncology, and Channel 9, Silver Sponsors GE Healthcare, Santos Coffee and Ralph Lauren Pink Pony.

High profile guests who attended the nights included: Kristina Keneally (Premier of NSW), Heather Gray, (Newly Appointed Chief Executive of Sydney West Area Health Service), Professor Nicholas Wilcken, (Director of the Westmead Breast Care Centre), David Bush, (David Jones, General Manager of Women’s Wear), Deb Foreman, (General Manager at David Jones), James Wakim, (Managing Director of Arab Bank Australia), Tracey Fellows (Managing Director of Microsoft Australia), Indy and Angus Kingsmill (owners of MAMBO), Ray of Hope Artists; Suey McEnnally, Sophie Gralton and Laura Matthews.

To donate directly to help the Ray of Hope fund raising effort, please log onto www.rayofhope.org.au and click on ‘Ray of Hope Donations’.

Media coverage:

Chariteers keep the wheels turning Australian Financial Review August 19 page 4

Mobile van a real Ray of Hope Australian Financial Review August 23 page 46

Ray of Hope write up with photos The Australian August 22 page 32

For further information/ JPEGS of gifted artworks and/or interviews, please contact:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 0412 859 410 / This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Sydney West News article

 

Last Updated on Friday, 28 October 2011 13:40