Sunshine Coast Health Foundation

One of the Cancer Centre wards.

For five years the Sunshine Coast united

 in a landmark fundraising campaign to

 provide a better local cancer treatment service

 at Nambour Hospital.

The Hon Stephen Robertson MP at the

 official opening with

Foundation's Chairman Mike Kelly (R)

 and Chris Cummings MP (L).

For five years the Sunshine Coast united in a landmark fundraising campaign to provide a better local cancer treatment service at Nambour Hospital.

Unrelenting support from local business, individuals and community groups raised a total of $1.7 million to establish the Sunshine Coast Cancer Centre on level two of Nambour Hospital.

The Centre has brought a range of cancer treatment services together under one roof at Nambour Hospital reducing the need for cancer patients to travel to Brisbane for treatment.

Wishlist was proud to officially open the Centre on 28th January, 2006.

Our fundraising campaign for the Centre  continues through the annual Wishlist Row For Cancer and other events.

Background

In 2001 Wishlist embarked on our first major capital fundraising campaign, to raise $1.5 million to establish the Sunshine Coast Cancer Centre.

The campaign aimed to capitalise on planned improvements to the local health service infrastructure. The Centre would facilitate state-of-the-art multi-disciplinary case management for cancer patients of the Sunshine Coast and surrounding areas. The potential would then exist to include a Chemotherapy Unit, a Psychological Support Unit, a Palliative Care Centre, dedicated cancer beds, an Oncological Pharmacy, an Epidemiological Research Centre with a local focus, and ultimately accommodation for outpatients from other Districts.

It is well recognised that a strong support network has a positive influence on health outcomes. The Cancer Centre would dramatically improve local services available to cancer patients by establishing a supportive treatment environment close to family and friends. Extended periods of travel or stays in Brisbane could eventually be eliminated for most groups of patients residing on the Sunshine Coast.

Community support for the campaign was overwhelming.

With the help of Wishlist media partners 92.7MixFM, Seven Sunshine Coast, and the Sunshine Coast Daily the campaign was officially launched in March 2001.

Local job network provider CADET Training and Employment's Jobs For Health campaign commenced in June 2001 and has since raised $300,000 and placed over 6,000 people into local employment.

Local car dealers joined forces to raise over $100,000 for the Cancer Centre. Northpoint Ford , Coastline BMW , Garry Crick Auto Group , Madills Autogroup , Cullen and Sons , Daddows of Cooroy , Sunshine Toyota and Pacific Ford donated between $25 and $50 to the Centre, for each new and used car sold. Coastline BMW also hosted the Coastline BMW New Owners Ball in September 2002 which raised an additional $10,000.

Campaign sub-committees were formed in Maroochydore, Caloundra, Nambour and Noosa chaired by Ros Hourigan (Hourigan's Retravision Maroochydore), Peter Boyce (Butler McDermott and Egan Nambour), Coral Brown (Daze N Nites Lingerie Caloundra and Buderim) and Gerry Stevens (Noosa Heads Rotary Club). Events including the extremely successful Sunshine Coast Cancer Centre Charity Dinner (featuring Wayne Bennett in 2003 and Ian Healy in 2004) and the St. Patrick's Day Charity Ball 2003 were organised by the committees. Tapping into resources within their local area, each committee played an important role in ensuring the entire Sunshine Coast community contributed to this vital community asset.

As awareness for the campaign grew businesses and individuals pledged support and a myriad of fundraising events were held in aid of the cause.

Led by Bar Manager Judy Austin, the team at the Mapleton Tavern raised over $12,500 for the Centre. Events ranged from raffles, Sunday morning barbeques, Trivia nights and a wine and cheese evening and not only raised funds for the campaign but also created an ever-increasing network of Wishlist supporters in the Hinterland.

The surfing fraternity lent a hand through the Leave Your Egos At Home surf carnival, surf art exhibitions, support from the Noosa Malibu Club and proceeds of Guy Davis' book "Basic Surf Forecasting".

Ashley Robinson and Bill Hoffman's Charity Swim 2002 and 2003 raised over $64,000 for the Cancer Centre. Swimmers, supporters and sponsors raised funds for the Cancer Centre, Nambour Special School and Currimundi Special School by taking part in this inspirational charity event.

Noosa Heads, Noosa Daybreak, Caloundra Pacific, Caloundra Daybreak, Kawana Waters, Nambour 96, Woombye, Buderim and Mooloolaba Rotary Clubs have held many events including golf days, charity lunches, two Shave Your Head for a Cure, tours of outback Queensland, a raffle of a fully restored Mini Cooper (Noosa Heads) and the impressive Longest Lunch 2003 (Kawana). Sunshine Coast Rotary Clubs have contributed over $50,000 to the campaign.

Regular supporters of the campaign include local Tasqua Cellars , Lions Clubs, Kawana Waters Hotel, Nambour RSL CLUB, Hourigans Retravision, Tenkate, Henzells Agencies, Ross Pawley and Peter Ryland and Maleny Amcal Pharmacy.

The support of Wishlist media partners 92.7 MixFm , Seven Sunshine Coast and the Sunshine Coast Daily was fundamental to the success of many initiatives throughout the campaign including Cancer Generosity Week (2002), the Charity Swim and the award winning The House the Coast Built.