Spring Edition
Welcome to the Spring Edition of In Good Health. Spring blossoms are appearing on tree branches, and the sun is shining more often than not. A beautiful way for nature to herald the arrival of a warmer season and the end of winter. As the year continues to challenge us with lockdowns and restrictions, we try and take joy in the simple things and do what we can to keep positive and active.
Despite the pandemic-related setbacks, the Werribee Hospital Foundation has been able to provide significant support to our local hospital in the last 3 months. And as always, we have you – our invaluable supporters – to thank for these accomplishments.
We are so pleased to announce that our 2021 Appeal goal to purchase a new renal chair for dialysis patients at the Werribee Mercy Hospital has been reached, and we also raised the $12,000 needed to buy a new palliative care bed. These two pieces of equipment will greatly enhance the patient care experience at our local hospital and we are really proud to have made this impact in our current climate. These could not have been made possible without you and your support – thank you !
We would like to remind everyone that the Werribee Hospital Foundation is an uncommon charity due to being able to disperse 100% of its donations to our local hospital. No administration fees or operational costs are deducted from your donation. Please know that every cent you give goes directly to the cause you have chosen to support.
We know that these times are difficult for most people, and your generosity is especially humbling right now. If you are struggling with lockdown and need help, please do not hesitate to reach out. You are not alone in how you are feeling. This link contains many different phone numbers and online resources to assist: https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/mental-health-resources-coronavirus-covid-19.
If you would like to book in for your COVID vaccine, please call the Victorian Government hotline on 1800 675 398.
We have a wonderful community and I am here for anyone that needs support. If anyone needs to reach out, or wants to find out how they can help the Foundation please contact us on 0412 701 987 or hello@whf.org.au.
I would like to thank everyone who has supported the Foundation by volunteering their time, or helped out with donations and events. We have lots of great things planned for the Spring season and appreciate any help or donations that are given. Read on to find out what we have in store! Stay safe and healthy, and take good care of yourself.
Yours Sincerely,
Leanne Down
CEO, Werribee Hospital Foundation
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A new renal chair for dialysis patients has been purchased with your support
We are proud to announce that your generous donations during our 2021 Renal Dialysis Appeal have provided the Werribee Mercy Hospital’s Renal Dialysis Unit with a new renal chair.
This chair will help kidney patients in our community receive quicker access to dialysis, and enable the Renal Unit to process more patients. Our Renal Dialysis Unit services end-stage kidney patients from the whole of Melbourne’s western suburbs. We are sure the extra chair we have provided will make a positive impact to patient care.
Jim’s story is testament to the importance of supporting our local hospital so that all members of our community receive high quality health care when they need it most:
“If I have to be on dialysis, I’m glad I’m on dialysis at Werribee Hospital. Where the nurses really care and take the time to get to know you. Being here several times a week, for two plus hours each time, this adds up and matters a lot more than you’d think. Seeing friendly faces, and feeling like I’m part of a community, it helps get me through. I’m alive and hopeful today because of Werribee Hospital’s Renal Unit.”
Jim, end-stage kidney disease patient
Our raffles to raise money to purchase a new palliative care bed have been a resounding success!
Our second proud achievement to announce is the Foundation’s purchase of a palliative care bed for the Werribee Mercy Hospital’s Palliative Care ward. Your raffle ticket purchases and donations from local businesses helped us raise the $12,000 needed to buy the bed, and we sincerely thank you all for chipping in.
We were really overwhelmed by the generous donations given to us by local businesses as prizes for our raffle hampers. We know this is a difficult time for a lot of small businesses, which makes their support even more special.
We had originally planned to run this raffle at the annual Werribee Hospital Foundation – Mercy Cup, however recent lockdowns saw that event cancelled.
We would like to thank the following businesses for their donations which helped us run the raffle:
Godings for donating $1,000 and MBE Point Cook for donating the raffle tickets.
Congratulations to the following supporters on their raffle win:
Vicki Warren, Nicholas McNaughton, Rachell Durkin, Yolanda Congerton, Susanna Bonetti, Mary Lowman, Brianna Julien, Helen Michaelides, Cheryll Evans, Patricia Tot, Melissa Hickson
& Malcom Smith
And congratulations to Jenny Jimenez who won the $500 Pacific Werribee gift card in our first palliative care raffle. Thank you to Pacific Werribee for donating the prize.
Add the 5KOK virtual walk in October to your calendar
Get your runners on, and join us this October to help raise awareness for mental health.
Proudly sponsored by VillaWood Properties and Alamora Tarneit, this is your chance to register yourself or your team to complete 5KOK and get moving for Mental Health.
Sign up and join hundreds of Victorians walking for Werribee Hospital Foundation’s 5KOK and raise money for mental health services to support our growing community.
STEP 1. Register your details HERE so we know you are on board for the challenge and choose an activity you’d like to do 5km for 5 consecutive days throughout the month of October. Run, walk, ride, roll, swim or something else. It can be a casual stroll or try to beat your personal best.
STEP 2. Once registered, share your personalised online page with family and friends & encourage them to help support positive metal health initiatives in our community and sponsor you.
STEP 3. Start your tracker and get moving! Take a photo at the end share your achievement. Be proud and upload a photo of your tracker and/or yourself with a big smile using #whf5kok
Kick back and be proud of yourself for keeping active and knowing that you’ve helped support something great.
100% of donations are attributed to supporting our community’s mental health services.
You can donate to the Werribee Hospital Foundation to support our local hospital’s mental health services. We would love to see pictures of your beautiful selves getting some Vitamin D and fresh air during the 5KOK so please tag #WHF5KOK or send them to us via Facebook messenger or hello@whf.org.au.
Complete the 5KOK with a friend or team and double your donation! Our mental health services are under great strain right now so every cent matters. Do something positive for your mental health while helping others doing it tough.
100% of donations raised are dispersed to our local hospital. No administration fees or operational costs are deducted.
A warm welcome to our new Corporate Sponsors
We would like to welcome and thank the following businesses that have recently become Corporate partners & sponsors of the Werribee Hospital Foundation:
Our Corporate Partners share our passion for health and work closely with the Werribee Hospital Foundation to build a happier, healthier future for the people of our community. By partnering with one of largest local health services, our partners proudly display a supporter badge which highlights their commitment to investing in the health of their community.
The Foundation proudly works directly with our partners to determine the best fit as we know there is no one fit for any organisation. Partnerships range from donations of goods and services, percentage of sales, event sponsorship and corporate donations and much more.
How can your business positively impact the lives of locals through charitable activity?
If you would like to find out more or reach out to assist, please click here: Corporate Support & Sponsorship – Werribee Hospital Foundation (whf.org.au)
Book sale is postponed until further notice
Firstly, a huge thank you for the incredible amount of books that were donated for our annual book sale. Our superstar volunteer Cheryl has certainly been kept busy responding to drop off enquires and sorting the books into categories!
Unfortunately lockdown has thwarted our plans – again! – and we have had to postpone our scheduled book sale. We will announce our new date via our social pages and website so please stay tuned for more information.
Thank-you for your supporter survey responses
We have really enjoyed reading the many responses received from our recent supporter survey. Your feedback matters a lot and has been helpful in guiding us in our future planning.
Knowing that your donations make a real difference to patient care has come through as a strong reason for why you support the Werribee Hospital Foundation. We want you all to know that our Foundation is unlike many other charities because 100% of your donations are dispersed to our local hospital. No administration fees or operational costs are deducted.
We set up appeals to support the purchase of specific equipment or resources for our hospital and choose departments that have the greatest need. Please know that anytime you donate to us you are making a positive impact to your hospital and community. Thank you for everything you do to support us.
Congratulations to Mari Toffolon the winner of the $50 Coles Myer gift card survey participation prize. Thank you to everyone for their feedback.
Meet Pat, our volunteer!
How did you learn about how to join up as a volunteer for the Werribee Hospital Foundation?
I saw a volunteer call out in the Star Weekly so I contacted the Foundation to find out more and after the initial conversation I knew that it was a great way to contribute my time and energy.
What do you enjoy most about volunteering? Volunteering gives me a sense of satisfaction and an uplifting feeling. It also makes me feel part of the community and appreciate the small things in life.
I enjoy the volunteer get-togethers to plan events and celebrate occasions. It’s a great opportunity to meet and mingle with everyone involved. This included the Community Engagement Celebration Night to meet board members and staff and share the Annual Report.
With the support of other volunteers, I facilitate a carer support group in Wyndham. Over time I have had the opportunity to build networks in the community to share relevant information.
What have you found to be unexpected or surprising about volunteering for the Werribee Hospital Foundation?
The time and energy given by volunteers is just amazing as there is a lot of behind the scenes work that go into the fundraising appeals/projects. Their commitment is ongoing and to be part of thisisan honour. I was surprised to read about the many donations by individuals and local businesses that contribute, and this shows the pride they have in our local hospital.
If you would like to learn more about becoming a volunteer you can visit our website Volunteer – Werribee Hospital Foundation (whf.org.au) or email us at hello@whf.org.au.
Do you want to participate in our digital health trial to create a healthier lifestyle?
Werribee Hospital Foundation are proud to have financially supported innovative research around the development of health tools designed to promote weight management.
This research is now at the stage where the program is looking for members of our community who may be interested in using some new digital health tools and programs that have been designed to promote weight management. Particularly interested in focusing on what is eaten between meals and attempting to identify who is most likely to benefit from using these tools to promote healthier lifestyle choices.
This research trial is part of the Digital Health CRC and is a collaboration between Mercy Health, the Werribee Hospital Foundation, and the University of Notre Dame Australia.
If you are interested in participating or finding out more please email Anwyn Hocking, Trial coordinator Anwyn.hocking@nd.edu.au or phone 02 8204 4262.
