Club donation helps cancer research continue

FUNDING cancer research programs, Ballarat Golf Club has donated four thousand, five hundred and twenty-five dollars to the Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute.

Ballarat Golf Club manager, Gary Fry said his team saw an opportunity to contribute to an important cause, at a challenging time when many fundraising events cannot go ahead due to COVID-19 restrictions.

“We’ve donated $10,000 in this period between various community groups. It’s pretty obvious with a lot of groups, there’s just nothing flowing in, so it’s good to be able to help,” he said.

“As a community-based not-for-profit organisation, like a lot of others, putting back is the thing we do. It’s a time to come together, look beyond our borders and see what we can contribute.”

FECRI receives no government funding. Marketing and fundraising manager, Sarah Stapleton said community support is more crucial than ever in 2020 because key fund-generating events and campaigns can’t run.

“Support like this from Ballarat Golf Club, even more so at this time, allows us to keep our research continuing on. We need to make sure we can keep funds up to keep it going,” she said.

“We’re looking forward to a time when we can get people back together again for the wonderful community activities we enjoy.”

Research scientist, Dr Sharon Olsen emphasised that cancer doesn’t stop for anyone, and definitely not for a pandemic.

“We’re still collecting patient samples and working on them in a modified fashion, to keep us all safe,” she said.