Ballarat Health Services Foundation
Ballarat Health Services Foundation - Putting your health first
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George's Dry July pledge
Like many of us, George Fong loves a drink. The IT expert and president of the Ballarat Health Services Foundation enjoys a glass or two of red wine on more evenings than not after a testing day at work and with friends at the weekend. It’s part of his routine. But as of July 1 he will give this cherished habit up – for a month anyway. George has signed up to be part of Dry July, the campaign that raises money for adult cancer patients across Australia. It’s a simple approach and it makes a lot of sense – individuals or teams sign up to the challenge of a month-long sponsored abstinence from alcohol. All proceeds go towards Australian cancer treatment centres. The Foundation recently negotiated the inclusion of the Ballarat Regional Integrated Cancer Centre (BRICC) on the list of Dry July beneficiaries. So while George is raising money through not touching a drop of alcohol during July, all of his sponsors’ support will go towards the BRICC. &ldqu ...
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Foundation wins backing of Dry July
Ballarat Regional Integrated Cancer Centre (BRICC) is one of just three Victorian cancer services chosen to be a beneficiary of the Dry July campaign. Dry July included the BRICC on its list of beneficiaries following an approach by the Ballarat Health Services Foundation. Dry July is an online social community where an individual or team can sign up to the challenge of a one month sponsored abstinence from alcohol. The funds raised from participants' sponsorship directly benefit the lives of adults living with cancer right across Australia. “Dry July is a great initiative that has grown quickly since it began in 2008,” Foundation president George Fong said. “Last year more than 11,000 people took part in Dry July and together they raised in excess of $2.8 million for 13 different cancer hospitals around Australia. “Both the Foundation and Ballarat Health Services are committed to reaching a fundraising target of $2 million to ensure the BRICC is the b ...
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GREAT DAY ON THE COURSE FOR A GREAT CAUSE

The Ballarat Health Services Foundation Charity Golf Day attracted 22 teams and 88 players to the Buninyong Golf Club.

The event is held annually with proceeds from this year’s event to be directed towards the Ballarat Regional Integrated Cancer Centre (BRICC).

Overall winner on the day was the team from J.B. Were

BHS Foundation Secretary Geoff Millar congratulated the winners and thanked everyone for their participation.

The event raised $15,000.

“In having a fun day on the golf course players and their workplaces were supporting a wonderful cause in the Ballarat Regional Integrated Cancer Centre which, when it opens to patients next year, will provide care and treatment to more patients, their families and carers,” Mr Millar said.

“Thanks also to our sponsors, in particular major sponsors Dorevitch Pathology and Ballarat Toyota.

“I encourage anyone who wants to know more about the BRICC to visit the website www.reachnewheights.com.au .”

 
Ballarat Regional Integrated Cancer Centre

 
The Foundation's work

The Foundation’s fundraising efforts complement funding received from government sources and enhance the service BHS provides to the community.

The Foundation’s “Spread Our Wings” campaign last year saw more than $500,000 channeled towards the redevelopment of the BHS Base Hospital’s Emergency Department, a service used by more than 50,000 people in 2009-2010.

In 2009 the Foundation bought a neonatal isolette and an in-utero feotal monitor for the Special Care Nursery. The nursery provides dedicated, specialist care for babies, many of them born prematurely or recovering from an early medical complication.

The Foundation is now turning its attention towards fundraising for the Ballarat Regional Integrated Cancer Centre – or BRICC for short.

Construction on BRICC will start early in 2011. It will mean hundreds of cancer patients can receive treatment such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, closer to home.

The Foundation will focus on raising money for BRICC’s patient wellness centre and dedicated accommodation for patients and their families.

 
About the Foundation

Ballarat Health Services Foundation was established in 1989 and exists exclusively to provide equipment and facilities at the Base Hospital and Queen Elizabeth Centre.

Ballarat Health Services strives for excellence in healthcare and to improve the health and well being of people living in Ballarat and the Grampians Region.

Ballarat Health Services is the region's leading healthcare provider and referral centre for acute, aged and mental health services in Ballarat and Western Victoria.

Evolving from Ballarat's rich and colourful past, Ballarat Health Services has links back as far as the Eureka Rebellion, with the Base Hospital's Queen Elizabeth Centre's predecessors established in the 1850s to care for the sick and injured miners.

Today the care continues with the support of the Foundation.