NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2015

OFFICE BEARERS President Deirdre Tuck Vice President Greg Woods Secretary Annette Ogilvie Committee: David Asten, Norm Deane, Karen Dun, Robert Heuke, Katherine Marsden, Anne Piaszczyk, Catherine Willis, Sarah Woods Executive Officer: Graeme Petterd Website: www.leukaemia-tasmania.com.au Email: enquiries@leukaemia-tasmania.com.au Telephone: 1300 728 533 / 0475 182 989

PRESIDENT’S NEW YEAR MESSAGE I trust the all of our members and supporters have had a happy & safe Festive Season. The past twelve months have been a very busy and productive time for the Foundation. The highlight of the year was the completion of much needed renovations of David Collins House. The Foundation appointed a project manager – Tim Penny - to coordinate the project. This ensured that the work to proceeded in a coordinated manner, without undue pressure and was completed on time. I would also like to acknowledge the contributions of both Catherine Willis & Graeme Petterd in ensuring that extra supportive equipment and works were provided. As a result we have a much improved accommodation facility for patients and their families to stay when attending treatment in Hobart. We have continued to support leukaemia research in Tasmania with a $30,000 grant to Dr Adele Holloway at the Menzies Institute for Medical Research in Hobart to continue her leukaemia research. Ongoing financial assistance is also being provided for a Haematology Cancer Care Coordinator at the RHH for another two years. Five Professional Development Awards (PDA) were awarded to successful applicants from around the state - Latrobe, Launceston and Hobart. Our work could not continue without the loyal support of members and the Tasmanian community. May I take this opportunity on behalf of our Committee to wish you a healthy & prosperous New Year for 2015? This year the Foundation will celebrate 35 years of service of which we can all be very proud. Thank you all Deirdre Tuck President

DAVID COLLINS HOUSE A complete refit of David Collins House was completed in mid June. Much of the interior of the building has been replaced. This includes a new kitchen and bathroom/toilet area & walk in wardrobes in the bedrooms. A heat pump and double glazed windows were installed and to give added warmth during the winter and cooler conditions in summer. The hot water service was moved outside to provide improved storage in the laundry. The external front steps were replaced with a cement ramp to provide wheel chair access when needed. Repairs and painting of all internal walls was also carried out. New appliances including fridge, stove, washing machine, dryer and microwave plus new lounge and bedroom furniture replaced previous items many of which had been in service since 1985 when the unit was first built. The first patient to use the revamped facility moved in on the 29th June. Several patients have used the unit since and all have expressed their thanks in having such a modern secure facility to stay at while they are having treatment in Hobart. An open day for members and their friends was held on Saturday 22nd November. Many of our past and present members attended including Rosie Britton and her mother Helen who drove down from Burnie for the day. Professor Ray Lowenthal AO reopened the unit. In his address he congratulated the Foundation on the support it has provided to leukaemia patients & research in Tasmania over the last 34 years and expressed the hope that our work will continue. A new information brochure on David Collins House was also launched on the day. Enclosed is a copy for your interest.

BUTTON DAY FRIDAY 15 AUGUST 2014. $15,127 was collected Button Day in August 2014. This was around $1,000 less than the result in 2013. Unfortunately several venues were unavailable to us and this impacted on our income for the day. However most selling spots reported good results with Glenorchy breaking their previous record. We acknowledge the continued support we receive each year from our many sellers including school communities in Smithton, Burnie, Launceston, Huonville, New Norfolk, Sorell, Hobart and suburbs. Thank you to everyone who supported us on the day. Your assistance is greatly appreciated

NEW LOGO After many years of use it has been decided to reinvent the Foundation with a new logo for our stationery and signage etc. You will note that it appears on the top left hand corner of this newsletter. We are sure you will agree with us that it provides a sharp, fresh new look that will create attention to our cause. Our previous logo served us well but like everything it was time for a change.

NEW TELEPHONE NUMBER We have a new mobile telephone number. The new number is 0475 182 989 and is a dedicated number for the Foundation. It will normally be used by the Executive Officer however when he or she is on leave another member of the committee will use the phone for DCLFT business calls. This will provide a better service for enquiries etc. at all times. It is important that we are available to accept SMS and telephone calls when required. We believe this new arrangement will provide a better service for everyone.

NEW COUNTER COLLECTION BOXES New perspex counter collection boxes are also part of our new look and are being introduced around the State to replace the old collection tins that in many instances have been on shop and business counters since our humble beginning way back in the 1980’s. The boxes have the new logo and artwork and are supplied with a lock and key. They are also fitted with a cord or chain attachment for security. If you are responsible for an old counter tin it’s time for it to be replaced. Would you please contact Graeme on 0475183989 so arrangements can be made to replace the tin or tins? You may also know of a business that would like to support us by placing a collection box on their counter. If so please contact Graeme to send you a new box.

ANNUAL DINNER Billed as an “Ausmas” night a 100 plus guests attended our Annual Dinner held at the Lindisfarne Rowing Club on the 25th June. Christmas decorations including a Christmas tree with lights and a visit from Father Christmas or should I say Mother Christmas added to the fun of the night. PDAs were awarded to Farzaneh Astashrazm - a PhD Student from the MRI in Hobart to attend 19th Congress of European Haematology Association in Milan and Susan Wright - a Medical Scientist from the Pathology RHH to attend the 29th Annual Clinical Cytometry Meeting & Course in Seattle USA. Our President Deirdre Tuck presented the awards to Farzaneh and Susan and addressed the gathering on the Foundation’s current projects and plans for the future. The ever popular raffle created its usual entertainment with the “losers” contest bringing the night to a close. It was a great night made all the better with a profit of $2,000.

MERSEY REGIONAL HOSPITAL (MRH) PRESENTATION: On the 23rd Sept the MRH arranged afternoon tea for the presentation of the 2014 David Balon Professional Development Award to Oncology Nurses Leanne Howell and Sonia Berry. Several NW members including Joan Balon, Daphne and Ron Savage, Julie Smith-Kingston and Ann Rogers as well as Kath & Graeme Petterd from Hobart were present. Unfortunately Rose Stephens was a last minute withdrawal. The Award enabled Leanne and Sonia to attend two Haematological Malignancies study days at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute in Melbourne. Speaking on behalf of Sonia and herself Leanne expressed thanks to the DCLFT for providing the opportunity for them to attend the study days. The knowledge and peer contact they gained from the experience will enable them to provide ongoing benefits to leukaemia patients and nursing staff at MRH.

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PDA awards Joanne Balon with Leanne Howell; Farzaneh Atashrazm and Sue Wright with Deirdre Tuck