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How you’ve helped

Poster1With a life-long passion for singing, Charles DeLong is thrilled to invite locals to a concert in November to support stroke services at Eastern Health. 

Charles' career has focussed on singing - as a performer and teacher. "Singing has taken me around the world - from my childhood in South Africa to stages in Sweden, Denmark, Greece, Italy and now Australia," he says.   

"I had a stroke in May 2017 and I couldn’t talk at all. I couldn’t utter a word," explains Charles. "I was worried I would never sing again."

Charles was admitted to Box Hill Hospital and later undertook his rehabilitation at Peter James Centre, part of Eastern Health.

 To show his appreciation for the care he received at Eastern Health, Charles is hosting a concert. "Strangely, my singing voice wasn’t destroyed at all, which is fantastic," he says. "I felt I wanted to give something back - to say thank you."

 "Being able to organise this concert now is a blessing in disguise." 

The concert will feature gems and excerpts from grand opera, operettas, musicals and light classics. Charles will be performing works by Verdi, Puccini, Mozart and Bizet.  The performance will include a focus on those who served in war, a tribute to Dame Nellie Melba and highlights from tenors Caruso, Cigli and Pavarotti.

"Everyone is invited to enjoy an afternoon of nostalgia and good singing," says Charles. 

Details:

Charles DeLong and Friends
Saturday 4 November 2017
Kilsyth Memorial Hall, 514 Mt Dandenong Rd, Kilsyth VIC 313
Cheese and wine at 3.00pm. Concert begins at 4.00pm

Tickets are $30 and can be purchased online or by calling Charles on 0426 412 018.

All proceeds from this concert will be donated towards stroke services at Eastern Health.

Watch the feature on Channel 9 News.

IMG 9568cropWhen Lions Club of Heathmont Past President Geoff Secker passed away from cancer in early 2017, his friends and fellow Lions rallied together to say thank you to the Oncology Ward at Box Hill Hospital, part of Eastern Health, where Geoff spent so much time.

"When Geoff was in hospital, he wanted to do something for the Ward that would benefit future patients," explains Geoff's wife and fellow Lion, Anne. "Unfortunately, Geoff ran out of time to see this come to fruition."

"While I was recovering from his passing, the Lions Club of Heathmont initiated the 'Lions Family Spaces' project in Geoff's honour. Our Club then invited fellow Lions Clubs, Australian Lions Foundation and Lions District 201V5 to come together to support oncology patients at Box Hill Hospital," explains Anne.

As Kylene Blay, Nurse Unit Manager, Oncology and Haematology Ward explains, 'this project will utilise the Lions’ donations to fit out and refurbish the communal areas in our Ward."

This project will transform the very clinical Family Meeting Room, as well as the sparse kitchen and outdoor courtyard into inviting family-friendly places for families to meet with each other and medical staff.

“The Family Meeting Room, for example, is a place where families are often told that the prognosis of their loved one isn’t good,” explains Kylene.

“Over coming months we will create inviting and comfortable communal spaces that can be used as an extension to the patient’s allocated room,” she explains.

“It is vitally important for our patients and their families to be able to spend quality time together. Refurbishing these spaces and adding ‘home comforts’, especially when patients are away from home for a long time, will make a huge difference to the experience of our patients and their families,” says Kylene.

As Anne explains, "our vision is to create areas where patients and families can connect, have some much needed 'time out' and foster opportunities to share conversation, a cuppa and valuable family time."

This project would not be possible without the generous support of local Lions Clubs, some members of whom are pictured above.

"Groups of Clubs often come together to fund projects," explains Anne. "However, it is terrific that this time, it is one so close to our hearts," she says.

"I'd like to personally thank the following Lions Clubs, Australian Lions Foundation, Lions District 201V5 itself plus a number of individuals, for their most generous support of this project," says Anne.

Thank you to the following Clubs for their wonderful support: 

  • Lions Club of Alexandra
  • Lions Club of Beaumaris
  • Lions Club of Blackburn North
  • Lions Club of Boroondara Central
  • Lions Club of Boroondara Gardiners Creek
  • Lions Club of Brighton
  • Lions Club of Croydon
  • Lions Club of Donvale
  • Lions Club of Euroa
  • Lions Club of Forest Hill
  • Lions Club of Healesville
  • Lions Club of Heathmont
  • Lions Club of Lilydale
  • Lions Club of Lysterfield Business
  • Lions Club of Marysville and district
  • Lions Club of Merrigum
  • Lions Club of Mooroolbark
  • Lions Club of Nillumbik
  • Lions Club of Nunawading
  • Lions Club of Oakleigh
  • Lions Club of Rowville
  • Lions Club of Sandringham
  • Lions Club of Seymour Goulburn
  • Lions Club of South Vermont
  • Lions Club of Toolamba
  • Lions Club of Vermont
  • Lions Club of Wandong-Wallan
  • Lions Club of Wantirna
  • Lions Club of Warrandyte

"Geoff was always proud of Lions - I know that this would make him even prouder!" says Anne.

iss facility services 4c 2

Eastern Health Foundation is thrilled to welcome ISS Facility Services as Gold Sponsor for our upcoming Searchlight Dinner.

“ISS has provided non-clinical support services for Eastern Health at Box Hill Hospital, the Peter James Centre, Angliss Hospital, Wantirna Health among other sites since 1999,”explains Anne Gribbin, Director, Eastern Health Foundation. “We thank them for sharing in our vision of excellence in research by sponsoring our signature event”.

As Scott Davies, CEO of ISS Australia/New Zealand explains, “ISS provide service delivery across more than 300 hospitals and healthcare facilities across the globe. We pride ourselves on tailoring solutions to client needs, managing risk, and engaging our team of over 13,000 employees (Australia-wide),” he says.

Staff from ISS Facility Services will be joining over 400 guests on Tuesday 31 October 2017 at Searchlight Dinner for what will be a special and memorable night. This year’s dinner will be focusing on mental health research, particularly suicide prevention.

“We thank ISS for their continued support of Searchlight Dinner and Eastern Health,” says Anne.

Find out more about Searchlight Dinner here.

Melanoma 2017 Cheque presentation 2AFL Yarra Ranges, AFL West Gippsland and AFL Barwon Football Netball Leagues hosted another successful Melanoma Awareness Round on 5 August 2017, continuing a vital conversation about the risks of melanoma for players and families.

An initiative of Mr Steve Goodie, the annual round has also been fundraising for melanoma research at Eastern Health since 2015, in memory of Steve's wife, Carolyn, who passed away from melanoma cancer at the age of 45.

"I'm proud to say that all monies raised before and during the round will be used to fund a Melanoma Research Grant at Eastern Health," says Steve.

Currently, Eastern Health treats 15,000 cancer patients annually. "Where we had previously predicted a 5% increase in oncology patients annually, we have now had a staggering 32% increase last year alone," explains Prof David Taylor, Director of Research at Eastern Health.

"As one of Melbourne’s largest metropolitan public health services, we provide medical care, treatment and wellbeing programs for our oncology patients," says Prof Taylor.

"New research is vital to investigating the best possible methods of care and treatment," he says. 

In 2016, the Carolyn Goodie Memorial Melanoma Research Award was granted to Dr Eliza Hawkes from our Oncology team for her research project “Role of on treatment PET scanning in melanoma patients receiving immunotherapy”.

Working with Dr Hawkes is Andrew Mant, pictured right with Steve Goodie. Andrew is currently completing his PhD with a focus on melanoma.

"A grant made possible from this most recent Melanoma Awareness Round will be awarded in 2018 to a new researcher focussing on melanoma, as part of the Eastern Health Foundation Research Grants program," explains Prof Taylor.

Well done to Steve and everyone at AFL Yarra Ranges, AFL West Gippsland and AFL Barwon Football Netball Leagues!

 DSC5875Eastern Health Foundation recently celebrated over 60 years of philanthropy at Box Hill Hospital when around 80 people attended the launch of our storyboards project on 27 July 2017.

Eleven remarkable and heart-warming stories are now on display at the entrance to Building B and the Atrium, showcasing generous individuals, businesses, community and cultural groups who, over the years, have supported Box Hill Hospital.

We invite you to visit the storyboards and see the difference our donors are making for Box Hill Hospital and Eastern Health.

IMG 9294

Congratulations to over 60 Eastern Health staff and supporters who ran or walked in Run Melbourne on 30 July, raising over $13,000 for Eastern Health.

Staff were invited to form their own sub-team and fundraise for a patient-focused project they were passionate about.

Meet some of our Run Melbourne teams

Central East Community Care team!

The 13 staff who ran as the Central East Community Care Team! raised money to purchase ipads / tablets for mental staff to use when working with mental health consumers.

One of their team members, Sarah, ran 8th for her age group and 22nd overall in the 10km event. This was a personal best, knocking 2 minutes off last year's time!  

Perriop Posse

This team of ten staff from Maroondah Hospital's operating theatre (pictured) raised money for a new Doppler machine. 

Team Research

A number of staff raised money for an Eastern Health Foundation Research Award, to be granted in 2018.

 

Well done to everyone involved!

We are very excited to announce our special guests that will be joining us for Searchlight Dinner!

This year’s dinner will be focusing on mental health research, particularly suicide prevention.

Schwass Wayne 2017 3Wayne Schwass

Former AFL player Wayne Schwass will be our guest speaker for the evening.

Wayne played AFL for 14 years with North Melbourne and the Sydney Swans.

Since capturing Australia’s attention as one of the most successful football players in AFL history, Wayne Schwass has gone on to make a name for himself in more ways than one.

He was one of the first footballers to openly speak out about his battle with mental illness and on the night will share an honest and inspiring story about his 14 year struggle with depression.

Tracey Spicer

Tracey Spicer author photo

One of Australia's most recognisable journalists and media personalities, Tracey Spicer will be joining us at Searchlight Dinner as our MC.

During her 30-year career, Tracey has reported for, and anchored, national news, current affairs and lifestyle programs for ABC TV, Network Ten, Channel 9 and Sky News.

Her TEDx Talk, The Lady Stripped Bare, has attracted more than 2.5 million views.

Tracey’s memoir ‘The Good Girl Stripped Bare’ was published in April 2017 and is already a best-seller.

Join us at Searchlight Dinner

When: Tuesday, 31 October 2017
Where: Plaza Ballroom, Collins Street, Melbourne
Time: 6.30pm until late
Tickets: $230 per person / $2,300 table of 10

Find out more about Searchlight Dinner 2017

 

For further information on Searchlight Dinner, please contact Ashlea Trew on 03 9895 4608 or searchlightdinner@easternhealth.org.au

2017 Searchlight Dinner BOOK HERE BUTTON 2

Searchlight Dinner puts the spotlight on research.

This year’s dinner will be focusing on mental health research, particularly suicide prevention.

In Victoria alone, more than 500 deaths every year are caused by suicide – this is over double our road toll.

Suicide is a common cause of death in young people aged 15 to 24, in men aged 35 to 50, and in senior people over 75 years old.

Suicide does not discriminate, affecting people from across all socio-economic levels, ethnicities and genders. The sad reality is that there is no one reason or cause that leads a person to suicide.

Eastern Health is committed to progress research that can identify triggers towards suicide and discover methods to reduce and ultimately prevent suicide.

Help us raise awareness and funds for suicide prevention

Join us on Tuesday 31 October at the Plaza Ballroom, and be part of a magical heart-felt night.

This is a terrific opportunity to rub shoulders and mingle with over 400 leading medical, research and community members, whilst raising funds for a very worthy cause.

So book a seat, buy a table, bid on an auction item, or pledge a financial gift - your support will help benefit people living with mental illness.

Event details

When: Tuesday, 31 October 2017
Where: Plaza Ballroom, Collins Street, Melbourne
Time: 6.30pm until late
Tickets: $230 per person / $2,300 table of 10

Interested in sponsoring Searchlight Dinner and mental health research?

We welcome the opportunity to discuss with you the various ways your company can support the Searchlight Dinner. If you would like further information in regards to sponsorship packages, please contact Ashlea Trew on 03 9895 4608 or searchlightdinner@easternhealth.org.au

Searchlight Dinner news

Find out more

For further information on Searchlight Dinner, please contact Ashlea Trew on 03 9895 4608 or searchlightdinner@easternhealth.org.au

Searchlight Dinner is an annual Eastern Health event focusing on raising both awareness and funds for ground-breaking research through the involvement of key stakeholders, suppliers, community members and the media. We look forward to seeing you at our Searchlight Dinner.

Bonnie with staffThis time last year, Bonnie Ibester was at a fundraising event at her local football club in support of breast cancer. Little did she know that by October 2016, she would have her own breast cancer battle to face.

Since then, Bonnie (pictured second from the left) has used her journey as an opportunity to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer.

Amongst radiation and chemo treatment, Bonnie has helped to organise fundraising events, including 'Show you care, be aware' in support of Eastern Health.

This event, held in April, raised $8,000 for Maroondah Hospital's Day Oncology ward and will be spent on observation equipment.

"This is a wonderful contribution Bonnie has made," explains Anne Gribbin, Director, Eastern Health Foundation (pictured first from the left). "It's Bonnie's way of saying thank you for the care and support she has received."

"Bonnie is an inspired and brave person, and leads from the front. And although she is often unwell, Bonnie is continuing her work and treatment. She wants to be there for her kids,” explains Anne.

To find out more about Bonnie's story and her fundraising efforts, search for 'Bonnie's Battle' on Facebook.

If you would like to support this project, please donate now, mentioning Bonnie's Battle when asked where to direct your gift.

IMG 2646Football and netball clubs in Melbourne’s east are being encouraged to take a stand to support gender equality.

The upcoming Be the Change Forum aims to inspire and create discussions around what actions local sporting clubs can take to create equal and respectful environments for women and men.

This event is proudly supported by Coles Eastern Region, pictured right, who used their participation in Run Melbourne 2016 and other fundraising activities to support this initiative.

To be held on June 7, special guests Collingwood AFLW player Emma Grant and former AFL player Luke Ablett will share their stories and thoughts on what clubs can do for gender equality. 

Eastern Health Executive Director of Clinical Operations Matt Sharp said it was important that individuals and sporting clubs understood the importance of creating respectful and gender equitable environments.

He said it was important the community was united in condemning violence against women, in any form. “Respectful relationships and gender equality between men, women, boys and girls is the key to preventing violence against women. No matter what our differences are – or our gender – it is important for each person to feel respected, valued, safe and appreciated in all of their relationships.”

Chief Executive Officer of the Eastern Football League, Phil Murton, said local sporting clubs could play a vital leadership role on this important issue. “With the support of local community and health organisations, an event such as this can help sporting clubs become even more inclusive parts of their local community.”

AFL Yarra Ranges Region General Manager Aaron Bailey encouraged members of local sporting clubs as well as the general community to attend the Be the Change Forum. “It is important we have this conversation in an open and honest manner. Being treated equally and with dignity is something we believe is important for our communities throughout the Yarra Ranges. An event like this is a significant, positive step forward.”

A study by Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety indicated that intimate partner violence is the leading cause of illness, injury and death for Victorian women aged 18-44. Almost every week one woman is killed by a current or previous male partner – and new research indicates that this rate is increasing.

The Be the Change Forum is being co-ordinated by Eastern Health, Inspiro, Yarra Ranges Council, AFL Yarra Ranges and the Eastern Football League and will be held on Wednesday 7 June 2017 at Karralyka Centre in Ringwood at 6.30pm. For more information about the event, please email: aladdin.jones@easternhealth.org.au

If you, or someone you know needs assistance for family violence or abuse, please contact 1800 RESEPCT (1800 737 732). In an emergency dial triple zero (000).

Some tips are creating a more respectful environment for women in your sporting club:

  • Involve women in all aspects of your club environment, including the committee, coaching and playing
  • Breakdown gender stereotype roles, such as encouraging more men to work in the canteen
  • Consider how you can ensure your facilities are female friendly, e.g. toilets and change rooms

To join Eastern Health's 2017 Run Melbourne team and fundraise for your local Eastern Health hospital, please contact us today on 9895 4608 or sign up online.

If you would like to support this project, please donate now, mentioning 'Be the Change' when asked where to direct your gift.