2020 mission achieved
The Male Bag Foundation ends a difficult year on a high, paying tribute to its sponsors and partner community service groups, and a vast improvement in community health outcomes in two States.
2020 saw the Foundation receive ongoing support from its sponsors and new partners to facilitate advanced prostate cancer biopsy machines to three major regional health networks in Victoria and South Australia.
David Parkin OAM, Foundation Patron said:
“In a year that challenged all volunteer-run charities in Australia, the MBF succeeded in facilitating the purchase of three transperineal biopsy machines with a capital cost around $550,000. We are indebted to our terrific sponsors and several community groups who backed the Foundation’s vision despite the disruption COVID-19 placed them” he said.
The Foundation’s key outcomes for 2020 include:
- Transperineal biopsy machines (TBMs) facilitated for Barwon Health South-West Victoria, and South Australia’s Limestone Coast and, Riverland-Mallee-Coorong Health Networks – a catchment of around 800,000 residents.
- Much valued partnerships that enabled the Foundation’s entry to South Australia. The major partners being:
- Victoria Heritage Road Registry and their Classic Festival of Speed event (Phillip Island, March 2020)
- Berri Lions Club
- Limestone Coast Prostate Cancer Support Group” he said.
David went on to say that
“The community outcomes that have come from volunteerism are simply outstanding. The support we have either received or leveraged through partnerships has allowed us to provide direct grants totalling $180,000 for TBMs. This puts an end to antiquated prostate biopsy’s procedures and gives public patients a simple day procedure that is locally available. The three machines reach a significant population of public patients and we estimate up to 500 men a month will be using TBMs made possible by our volunteer work since 2013” he ended.
The Foundation will complete its fund-raising for biopsy machines in South Australia with a charity postie bike ride in the first quarter of 2021.
Filed under: Foundation Announcements