Lions club members from throughout the Hunter have banded together to make an incredible difference to others in the region.
Thanks to a major fundraising effort, led by the Newcastle branch, cancer patients will soon receive greater access to scalp cooling technology.
It comes after they handed over a $49,950 Paxman system to the Calvary Mater Newcastle this week.
The donation formed part of more than $61,000, raised by Lions, which will help fund essential accessories for the machine.
“Hair loss is one of the most feared side effects of chemotherapy and also makes a personal cancer journey a very public one,” project coordinator Geoff Boyton said.
“This machine gives patients the dignity of choice and assists their emotional and physical wellbeing while undergoing treatment.”
Calvary Mater Newcastle’s Day Treatment Centre, which oversees 15,000 treatments annually, now boasts three scalp cooling devices, with each being able to care for two people at a time.
Funding for the project was made possible through a collaboration of Lions at every level.
Newcastle itself provided $10,000 and clubs in the zone pledged $9,950, while the Australian Lions Foundation chipped in $15,000, as did the NSW-ACT Lions Sight and Health Foundation.
“Community service is at the heart of what we do,” Lions Club of Newcastle president Wayne Kirk said.
“This venture’s a wonderful example of what can be achieved when clubs work together with hospitals and foundations for the good of local families.”
Scalp cooling technology alleviates damage to the hair follicle that is caused by chemotherapy.
It works by reducing the temperature by a few degrees immediately before, during and after the administration of chemo.
This in turn lowers the blood flow to the hair follicles.
Patients wear a cap that is connected to a mobile machine via which scalp cooling therapy is delivered.
Calvary Mater Newcastle cancer services operations manager Marissa Ledlin thanked Lions Australia for its continued support.
“This equipment makes a tangible difference for patients navigating one of the hardest times of their lives,” she said.
“It empowers them to make a choice about their treatment and what is happening to them.
“As well, it helps them feel more in control during what can be an emotional and overwhelming time.
“It is wonderful that we will now be able to provide this important treatment to more of our patients.
“We are deeply grateful to Lions for making this possible.”
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