Oncology Ball fundraiser

A BELLARINE local has helped to raise more than $20,000 to support Geelong’s oncology nurses through her inaugural charity gala ball.

Hosted at GMHBA Stadium and attended by more than 200 community members and nurses from St John of God Hospital and Barwon Health, the event was a tribute to oncology nurses who helped Bellarine survivor Marlene Ebejer during her treatment for T Cell Stage 4 Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 2022.

Setting out with the aim of supporting and funding one oncology nurse’s post graduate studies, Mrs Ebejer was thrilled that enough funds were raised to finance at least two students to chase their professional dreams.

“It was really fantastic… loads of people donated prizes and we raised over $20,000 which was just amazing,” Mrs Ebejer said.

“I was hoping to maybe get to that $9,000 mark to fund one scholarship, but at this rate we are definitely going to fund two and if not three Geelong oncology nurses at St John of God Hospital and Barwon Health where I was treated at.

“We had absolutely fantastic entertainment all night, including a band called the Tequilla Brothers, Finucane and Smith who emceed and brought down one of their artists Kate Foster, as well as a local drag queen putting on a performance..

“Overall, the cause meant a lot to me… the nurses are really underrated and do so much work… they really care about people.. I’m just delighted that the event was a huge success.”

Mrs Ebejer said since the fundraiser, people were still donating with a further $2,500 raised through a Portarlington Business Development Association community raffle.

“We’ve set up an incorporated association now from the success of the event and we’ve already been asked to make it an annual event,” Mrs Ebejer said.

“In doing so, we’ve already picked a date for next year and look forward to running it again on the 23rd of March 2024.”

Donations are still open for the fundraiser, and can be done so by contacting Marlene via email on [email protected]