Colourful conga for cancer event

Major fundraiser for cancer services locally.

With a Community Hospital for Phillip Island pledged by the state government prior to the 2018 state election, the Phillip Island Medical and Health Action Group (PIMHAG), supported by the Phillip Island Health Hub Auxiliary, is wasting no time starting a fundraising drive to help equip it with Cancer and Dialysis provision when the new facility opens in 2024.

Speaking this week, PIMHAG president Peter Paul said the groups’ initial target is $50,000, which will to go towards the five Oncology chairs planned for the Community Hospital.

“The provision of cancer services on the Island will make an enormous difference to community members requiring treatment and to those who support them,” Mr Paul said.  “We know that being at home with family and friends close by not only improves the quality of life for these people, but also the outcome for many, and so we need to have local treatment available wherever possible.”

The next fundraiser in this drive will be “A Coin for Cancer” collection on Saturday, April 3 with a $2 coin table set up again outside the Cowes Newsagents.

Please start saving your $2 coins for this date.

A major event for the year is planned for Saturday, September 11th in the form of a “Colourful Conga for Cancer” fundraiser.

“Participants in teams will conga in gloriously colourful lines, snaking their way down Thompson Avenue to the Cowes foreshore where a community celebration will take place,” Mr Paul said.

“We aim to have the parade as colourful and enjoyable as possible. Clothes, hair, masks, hats, face-paint – you name it!

“The more colour the better. Let’s put the FUN into FUNdraising!”

Mr Paul noted the event will be planned around Covid restrictions and that PIMHAG wanted the day to be one of community celebration, as well as raising money to provide cancer services, such as chemotherapy, on the Island.  “Cancer affects almost everyone in the community in some way and we know that the community will want to support this venture,” Mr Paul said.

Other major Island community groups have pledged their support already.  These include Island Voice, PIRSL, PICAL, Legacy, Phillip Island Aquatic Centre Fund, Phillip Island Jazz Committee, Rhyll Community Association and Sisters and Misters.

“We believe that many other groups will want to join us in making this a true community fundraiser.”

“Please put September 11th in your diaries and start planning how you will join in the fun and fundraising that this event will bring to Cowes and the Community Hospital.

“We will update you as the organising group firms up plans for September 11th.”

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