Cancer Council WA have praised the Irwin District Charity Ball committee for their overwhelming support for country cancer patients by providing funding for two double rooms at Crawford Lodge in Nedlands for two years through the Adopt A Room program.
Irwin District Charity Ball committee President, Fiona Cockman, said they were thrilled to be able to donate $32,000 towards supporting country cancer patients.
"Our ball was held towards the end of last year and astonishingly we raised more than $70,000," Mrs Cockman said.
"We chose to donate half of the proceeds to the Adopt a Room program as it's nice to know that in a time of need for many people and families, they have a home away from home and somewhere to unwind from the stress of what they are going through.
"We wanted the money to be used for something tangible, so when we heard about the Adopt a Room program, we knew the Mid West community would be thrilled that we chose to support country cancer patients undergoing cancer treatment in Perth."
Irwin District Charity Ball committee Vice President, Sheryl Hobbs agreed.
"Since our first ball in inception in 2015, the committee have raised more than $200,000 through the biannual event," Mrs Hobbs said.
"The Mid West region is a beautiful and generous community who have whole heartedly supported our event. Without them this could not be as great as it has become.
"Going through the cancer journey is already extremely challenging if you live in Perth, so we are delighted funds from the Irwin District Charity Ball will assist families in the regions who need to travel to Perth for treatment."
The Adopt a Room program was launched in 2020 to allow individuals and organisations to help provide ongoing accommodation and vital support services to country cancer patients.
Cancer Council WA Engagement Manager, Laura Fiegert, said they were thankful to Fiona, Sheryl and the Mid West community for their incredible support.
"We are so grateful organisers of the Irwin District Charity Ball have chosen to direct their funding into our Adopt a Room program," Ms Fiegert said.
"By 'adopting' two double rooms at our Crawford Lodge in Nedlands, the committee organisers and all the amazing fundraisers in the Mid West region are helping to provide vital support services that bridge the gap for regional patients and their carers by providing a home away from home.
"Their donation will ensure guests have a safe, clean and comfortable place to stay in their time of need."
Ms Fiegert said the need for accommodation and support services for country patients is arguably 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 more than 5000 country cancer patients and carers check into our lodges 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, corporate partners, passionate community fundraisers like the Irwin District Charity Ball committee, 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."
