It is small communities like Mathinna that allow the Launceston General Hospital’s Holman Clinic to have the best technology, says clinic director Dr Stan Gauden.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
On April 26, Gypsy Rose member Trudy Barnes and Mathinna Country Club licensee Adrian Parsons travelled to Launceston to visit the clinic with the aim to donate the funds raised from a fancy dress party.
The community rallied together to raise $6711.
Dr Gauden said the funds would go a long way.
“This year we’re developing tenders to upgrade our radiotherapy equipment and our linear accelerators, which are the main treatment machines, as well as our planning CT scanners,” he said.
“That’s millions of dollars worth.
“We’re also upgrading our chemotherapy treatment chairs. So each one of those costs essentially [$6711].
“We’re also developing a new radiation treatment technique, called stereotactic radiotherapy, which is currently only partially available in Hobart, but otherwise patients have to go to the mainland.
“From those points of view, these funds will go a long way in assisting us.
“All of these little bits help, and certainly on behalf of the trust and the clinic, I sincerely thank you for it.”
Dr Gauden said it was because of fundraising activities that many aspects of the clinic exist.
“It’s comfortable in there because [fundraisers] such as yours have helped make it comfortable,” he said.
“None of that is hospital issue.”
Dr Gauden said the clinic needed to be comfortable for those that travel for treatment, such as patients from the East Coast.
“Particularly for Mathinna-type people. The travellers need a restful place,” he said.
“This [donation] is excellent. Thank you very, very much.”
Barnes said her family had been touched by cancer, making it a cause very close to her heart.
“I didn’t realise how much I was going to get out of this personally,” she said.
“Just coming here today, to be in that waiting room and knowing that all of those people were in here and touched [by cancer] … it impacts so many people.”
Barnes and Mr Parsons wanted to thank all of the volunteers who helped on the night of the fundraiser.
Barnes said she hoped to hold another fundraising night at Mathinna in the future.
Kasey Wilkins
Kasey Wilkins is education reporter at The Examiner, and also covers the East Coast. Get in touch at kasey.wilkins@examiner.com.au.
Kasey Wilkins is education reporter at The Examiner, and also covers the East Coast. Get in touch at kasey.wilkins@examiner.com.au.
