Remembering Narla

Funding to finance welcome packs & equipment

More than $15,000 has been donated to Portland District Health’s oncology unit as a tribute to the late Narla Saunders.

The money was raised through Cobboboonee for a Cause organised by Assets Real Estate Portland and Heywood in honour of colleague and friend Narla Saunders who died in August last year from breast cancer.

Narla (pictured below) started with Assets Real Estate in 2007 and quickly became a valued work colleague and close friend with her infectious personality and love of life. After a stint with Mixx FM/Ace Radio, she later came back to real estate in a sales role. Narla was diagnosed with breast cancer in September 2016 and underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Her cancer unfortunately returned in September 2019 and she was forced to stop work in April 2020 to spend more time with family.

Director of Assets Real Estate Portland & Heywood Katrina Nash said Narla’s passing came during COVID-19 restrictions for funerals, so not everyone that loved her could attend and celebrate her life.

“We wanted to do something to not only honour her memory but to also allow everyone that knew her the opportunity to have their own farewell and celebration,” Ms Nash said.

“We remembered how much she loved previous events at the vineyard and how much she loved wine, so a day out there with music just seemed fitting.

“We also wanted to raise some money in her honour and use it to keep her memory alive. Narla loved where she lived and was very community minded, so we wanted to make sure the money stayed local and so we reached out to Portland District Health.”

The $15,490.15 donation will be used to make up welcome packs for new oncology patients with a tag to remember Narla, and for other equipment for the oncology unit.

“These bags are exactly the same as the one we bought Narla when her cancer returned and she used it for every appointment,” Ms Nash said.

In addition to the event at Cobboboonee Vineyard on November 26, a fund-raiser swim supported by MIXX FM/ACE Radio raised $3000.

Ms Nash said she was overwhelmed by the generosity of the community. “It showed the impact that Narla had on everyone – everyone was more than happy to help where they could,” she said. “The day at Cobboboonee turned out to be perfect. Narla had such a love for life and she really made the most of it and seeing everyone just have the best time really made me think how happy she would be watching them all.

“It was a party with more than 200 people and we finished up raising a lot more than we had expected.”

PDH Sub-Acute Services Nurse Unit Manager Natalie Herbertson thanked Ms Nash and the community for its support.

Funding to finance welcome packs & equipment “This is a fantastic outcome and we will make sure all the money is well spent in improving services and facilities for the people using our oncology services,” Ms Herbertson said.

IN MEMORY OF NARLA: (Above) Sara Edwards from Assets Real Estate, Emily Elford, Sharna Mullan & (fornt) Katrina Nash, from Assets Real Estate & Natalie Herbertson