Cancer Council WA has praised IGO Limited for their overwhelming support for country cancer patients by providing more than $30,000 to upgrade the kitchen at Milroy Lodge in Shenton Park.
Cancer Council WA Cancer Information and Support Services Director, Melanie Marsh, said they were incredibly grateful to IGO for their generous donation which will enable the Cook a Meal program to resume.
"Our Cook a Meal Corporate Volunteering Program, which offers nutritious meals to Milroy Lodge guests, has been on hold since 2020 due to COVID-19, and since then Health and Safety requirements have changed, so many of the appliances in the kitchen were no longer fit for purpose," Ms Marsh said.
"This incredible donation through IGO's Corporate Giving Program has allowed us to purchase brand new commercial grade items including a dishwasher, two ovens, new hotplates, freezer, crockery, cutlery and much more.
"By supporting our Milroy Lodge in Shenton Park, IGO and all their amazing employees are helping to provide vital support services that bridge the gap for regional patients by providing a home away from home."
Ms Marsh said the need for accommodation and support services for country patients is more important today than it was 20 years ago, due to country people coming into a congested city, rising accommodation costs and financial issues facing many people in the country.
"Each year we have more than 5,000 check-ins into our Lodges from country cancer patients and carers from all over WA, from Kununurra to Esperance, Christmas Island to Eucla," she said.
"For the past 24 years it has been the generous major donors, passionate community fundraisers, corporate partners such as IGO, and dedicated volunteers who have made everything we do to support country cancer patients possible, as every support service we offer to country families is donor funded.
"The non-for-profit sector continues to face fundraising and awareness challenges, especially in light of the increased cost of living environment many Australians are experiencing, so we are so incredibly grateful IGO have supported Cancer Council WA in 2024."
IGO Company Secretary, Joanne McDonald, said IGO is delighted to support Cancer Council WA to enable them to continue the important service they provide to regional cancer patients who travel to Perth to access vital treatment.
"Through our support of the Milroy Lodge upgrade, we hope to make a difference to the patients who stay there and help deliver the home away from home experience the lodge provides," she said.
