Anam Cara asks for community funding support

ANAM Cara House Geelong has kicked off a yearly donation campaign that supports its compassionate and holistic person-centred palliative care.

June is this year’s Annual Giving month for the local palliative care organisation, which will see it ramp up its push asking for donations from the generous Geelong community that have provided vital funding support during the past 15 years.

Anam Cara philanthropy manager Chantelle Hodgson said the gifts played a vital role in continuing service.

“Ongoing contributions are of utmost importance as they empower our dedicated nurses and palliative care-trained volunteers to sustain our services and extend care toour community.

“As a charitable organisation, our operations heavily rely on donations to keep our doors open and ensure the provision of our services to those with a life-limiting diagnosis.

Donations received will go towards Anam Cara’s Living Well Day Palliative Care Program, which is part of its new state-of-the-art facility at Waurn Ponds.

“We operate the Living Well Day Palliative Care Program and with funding support we can provide more opportunities for members of our community who are living with life-limiting illnesses,” chief executive officer Adrian Hart said.

“The program provides family members and carers the time to run errands or have a few hours for self-care and it also provides the guest the ability to enjoy a range of therapy, activities, education and the opportunity to socialise with other guests and people of Anam Cara House Geelong.”

Guests of the program say it has helped them manage the end of their lives in a dignified way.

“My life has been made better by Anam Cara because I have contact with other people,” one guest said.

“I’m not normally a people-person. It’s good being able to get out and be social for a while.

“Whilst I am in pain every day and know my life on this earth is limited, I try to share happy times with others who are in a similar situation to me.”

In previous years, community fundraising has played a vital role in construction of the new $21.5 million Anam Cara House Geelong – which was made possible by more than $7 million in contributions from local people and businesses.

The organisation is continuing discussions with the state government to secure funding to run its 24-hour and overnight palliative care services from the new facility.

To donate, residents can visit Anam Cara House Geelong at Deakin University, phone Chantelle Hodgson on 4250 8442, email [email protected] or head to achg-annual-giving-appeal-2023.raisely.com

Donations above $2 are tax-deductible.