Alison Coote, Virginia Cullane, Jenny Cullane, Dr Peter Fox
Our very own Virginia Cullane has handed over a $12,000 cheque to the local Central West Cancer Clinical Trials – a program that is close to her heart. Virginia herself has been suffering from liver and bone cancer and fighting an uphill battle from the side effects of her treatment. But as we have seen, Virginia is a fighter and has successfully raised $12,000 from her book sale a few weeks ago.
“Luckily I was well at the time of preparation, but unfortunately I was too unwell to run the sale, thank goodness for my daughter Jenny and all the volunteers”, Virginia said.
Virginia, accompanied by her daughter Jenny both handed the money over to the Orange Health Service Cancer Department on Thursday the 29th of May, and Virginia was content with her decision to donate the money locally.
“I wanted to keep it local so it could benefit everyone in the Central West”, Virginia stated.
In the past, people participating in trials had to travel to Sydney every few weeks, and now thanks to Virginia and her kind donation, the trials can commence closer for everyone who needs it.
The money donated by Virginia will go towards infrastructure to expand into international trials, and will focus on lymphoma, bowel, breast and prostate cancer.
Dr Peter Fox, Medical Oncologist in Orange suggests that there has been a recorded improvement in cancer survivors due to clinical trials.
“It is evident that these clinical trials have worked in the past and have improved outcomes for patients, and finally the Central West will now have access to this.
By Jessica Jenkins