Family, friends and members of the Passione Gourmet Deli community have honoured much-loved northern suburbs icon, David Infirri, who died from cancer in 2022, by dedicating a room to him at Cancer Council WA's Crawford Lodge in Nedlands.
David's wife, Marlene Sardo-Infirri, said David always wanted to make a difference and raise awareness and funds for people living with cancer, so it was fitting the Adopt a Room program was chosen to honour his legacy.
"Dave was always such an inspiration to so many; he continued to have so much hope throughout his treatment and continued to live his life to the fullest potential for as long as he was able to," Marlene said.
"After he passed away in August 2022, his family, friends and the Passione community came together and raised more than $26,000 for Cancer Council WA which was incredible.
"We wanted the money to be used for something tangible, so when we heard about the Adopt a Room program, we knew Dave would be thrilled that we chose to support country cancer patients undergoing cancer treatment in Perth.
"Going through the cancer journey is already extremely challenging if you live in Perth, so we are delighted this generous donation 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, Annie Hicks said they were thankful to Marlene for her continued support.
"We are so grateful that Marlene, the Infirri family and friends, and the Passione Gourmet Deli community have chosen our Adopt a Room program to honour David," Ms Hicks said.
"In addition to the $26,000 raised in 2022, the community has recently raised another $7000 for Adopt a Room through their Australia's Biggest Morning Tea event held in May.
"By 'adopting a room' at our Crawford Lodge in Nedlands, the Infirri family and all those amazing fundraisers in the northern suburbs 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 help cover the costs associated with operating, maintaining and cleaning their adopted room, ensuring guests have a safe, clean and comfortable place to stay in their time of need."
Ms Hicks 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 22 years it has been the generous major donors, corporate partners, passionate community fundraisers like the Passione Gourmet Deli team, 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."
For support and information call 13 11 20 or visit cancerwa.asn.au
