News

Community champions raise nearly half a million for cancer care

By Pip Turton

Nov 25, 2025

GV Health Foundation celebrates the Ladies Who Lunch and Biggest Ever Blokes Lunch committees for the funds they have raised. Photo by Megan Fisher

GV Health Foundation welcomed members of the Ladies Who Lunch and Biggest Ever Blokes Lunch committees for a special thank-you event, recognising their extraordinary contribution to cancer care and essential health services across the region.

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Together, the two volunteer-driven groups have raised $475,000 this year — $300,000 from BEBL and $175,000 from LWL — pushing the foundation close to the half-million-dollar mark and marking a major investment in local healthcare.

The LWL committee was acknowledged for its ongoing commitment to supporting women undergoing cancer treatment at GV Health.

Its fundraising has enabled the purchase of a scalp cooling machine to reduce chemotherapy-related hair loss, a SOZO machine for advanced lymphoedema assessment, and the establishment of a dedicated cancer social worker.

Funds have also supported the Women’s Cancer Care Relief Fund, easing financial pressures for women during treatment.

BEBL continues to enhance prostate and bowel cancer services, with donations funding specialist cancer nursing roles, a transperineal biopsy machine and two new Erbe machines — state-of-the-art surgical equipment that minimises internal tissue damage.

The Erbe machines have already supported GV Health’s first local resection surgery in recent weeks, preventing patients from needing to travel to Melbourne.

GV Health Foundation chair Stephen Merrylees praised both committees for their longstanding impact.

“They’ve raised a phenomenal amount of money,” he said.

“You are true champions — not only in the community, but for what you’ve achieved for the services we provide.”

GV Health chief executive Matt Sharp said the committees remained central to improving local care.

“They help us secure equipment and vital resources that sometimes our budget simply cannot stretch to,” he said.

BEBL chair Travis Ryan also emphasised the power of local generosity.

“Everyone is a volunteer for these events. It’s huge that the community gives so much — and being able to receive the care locally is really important.”