Two Tasmanian charities will benefit from $50,000 from the Ponting Foundation’s Biggest Game of Cricket event in 2017.
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Launceston’s Holman Clinic and Cancer Ward Auxiliary has been awarded a foundation grant worth $20,000, while Hobart’s Fight Cancer Foundation's John Opie House Accommodation Fund will receive $30,000.
More than $400,000 was raised at Ponting’s charity event at UTAS Stadium in January 2017, after the state government matched the total raised from the night.
Holman Clinic and Cancer Ward Auxiliary president Lynda Eastwood said the $20,000 would go toward an effort to install sky roofs in the clinic’s radiation rooms.
The rooms are used to treat cancer patients with radiotherapy.
“Radiation rooms have no windows, no lights and you’re really just lying on slab all alone and it’s really terrifying for a lot of people,” she said.
“Installing these roofs gives the experience that you’re looking at the sky … and studies have shown that the sky roof helps reduce anxiety and blood pressure for radiotherapy patients.
“People go into the radiation rooms for between five and 30 minutes, but on a slab looking up it can make the five minutes feel like five hours.”
The clinic’s auxiliary, which has worked to raise money for the Holman Clinic for 39 years, is aiming to raise $40,000 to install the virtual roofs.
After also raising $18,000 at a recent cocktail party and silent auction, the auxiliary is fast approaching its target.
Ms Eastwood believes the organisation’s upcoming auction of a Skoda Fabia will push them over the line.
“With the $20,000 from the foundation, we are well on the way to raising the $40,000 and we think we will have it raised by the end of the year,” Ms Eastwood said.
“The Ponting Foundation’s contribution was an amazing gift – everyone was very excited and very proud.”
Ms Eastwood said she had a special connection with Holman Clinic, choosing to volunteer with the organisation after she retired.
“Two people in my family have had cancer – one died and one was treated by an oncologist at the Holman Clinic,” she said.
The Biggest Game of Cricket saw the Hawthorn and North Melbourne football clubs clash at UTAS Stadium in a game of T20 cricket.
As North Melbourne’s number-one ticket holder, Ponting played alongside the boys from Arden Street for the match.
The former-Australian test captain said his foundation was greatly appreciative of the support from the state government.
“We are committed to making a significant difference to the lives of cancer patients and their families in Tasmania, and today’s announcement is another step in that process,” he said.
Stefan Boscia
Stefan came to The Examiner after working as a copywriter at a digital media firm in Melbourne and interning at The Conversation. He is enthusiastic about reporting on business, local government and environmental issues. When he is not chained to his work desk, Stefan enjoys getting brunch, reading Saul Bellow novels and watching Carlton games.
Stefan came to The Examiner after working as a copywriter at a digital media firm in Melbourne and interning at The Conversation. He is enthusiastic about reporting on business, local government and environmental issues. When he is not chained to his work desk, Stefan enjoys getting brunch, reading Saul Bellow novels and watching Carlton games.
