It’s been five years since Jodie’s Inspiration began fundraising for cancer care equipment at our local hospitals.

According to Jodie’s Inspiration chair Jesse Smith, the charity has come a long way since its initial fundraising for cold caps for patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment.

Today, he was proud to announce another $100,000 of raised funds would be donated to local hospitals for palliative care in the region. Today, $20,000 was donated to St Vincent’s Hospital and the other $80,000 to the Northern NSW Local Health District, including Lismore Base Hospital.

Mr Smith said it was all about providing dignity to cancer patients and making sure their families were comfortable too.

“The money is used to buy things like ipads, or paintings to make the amenities more comfortable, so it’s not such a clinical environment,” he said. “We can also buy special chairs so the patients can sit outside the rooms with their families.

At St Vincent's Hospital today for the cheque handover were hospital staff, directors and the Jodie's Inspiration team.

Jodie MacRae, founder of Jodie’s Inspiration, was a cancer patient in Lismore who died in 2016.

“For Jodie, it was all about providing dignity for people,” Mr Smith said.

“Jodie spent time in St Vincent’s Hospital trying to manage her pain. She also spent time being cared for at home, but not everyone has that option.

“So, Jodie said for those who have to be in hospital, we want to make it as comfortable as possible.

“Jodie had young children and it’s not easy to have them on the ward if there is no private room. Now, palliative care patients have individual rooms and there are pull out beds where the family can stay if they need to.

Mr Smith said the $100,000 will “see our loved ones who require palliative care gain access to new equipment that will aid in the treatment process”

“This money has been raised and donated through the efforts of our volunteers holding functions and events which have been strongly supported by the local community.”

“We are proud of the fact this funding will see people across the Northern NSW Local Health District – not just Lismore – benefit from equipment we have purchased, including patients from Ballina, Kyogle, Urbenville, Nimbin, Bonalbo and the Richmond Valley,”

“This is our way of giving back to the community by saying ‘thank you’ for supporting Jodie’s Inspiration,”

St Vincent’s Lismore, chief executive Steve Brierley said hospital patients will sleep, sit, shower and move more comfortably thanks to the community’s generosity”.

Lismore Base Hospital Acting Nurse Unit Manager Oncology Laura Dunne said being a palliative care patient can mean making the hospital your second home.

“As lovely and as caring as the staff can be, it’s still not the same as having the comforts that a home affords,” she said. “These items will make a palliative care patient’s stay more comfortable and homely.” 

Joshua Collins, Acting Nursing Unit Manager, Lismore Community Health said the equipment so kindly donated by Jodie’s Inspiration will assist patients with a life limiting illness to be cared for safely at home. 

“Jodie was nursed at home by our service; we remember Jodie as always giving back to her community, and these donations are a continuation of that amazing spirit,” she said,

This funding takes the overall contribution of Jodie’s Inspiration to over $260,000.00 since 2015.”

“Whilst COVID19 has temporarily paused fundraising opportunities in 2020, Jodie’s Inspiration is looking forward to working with the community in 2021 to continue its work of assisting locals in their time of need,” Jesse said.

For more information, visit http://www.jodiesinspiration.com.au

TYPES OF EQUIPMENT PURCHASED INCLUDES:

• Niki T Pumps (Syringe Drivers for pain management)
• Pull out lounge bed for relatives
• Recliners
• Washer/dryers
• iPads to connect with family members
• Electic Aromatherapy Diffusers
• Twin Moto KCare Air Compact Lift Chairs
• Columnless SafeCare Floor Beds with knee bend and Trendelenberg tilt mattresses
• Air pressure mattresses
• Mobile Air Chair with Foot Rest
• Standing Transfer Hoists
• Show Commodes
• Commercial Ice Crusher
• Pedestal fans
• Quilts
• Heat/cool wheat gel pac