Be part of history this Australia Day!

23 January 2012

Excitement is building at the Foundation this week, with all of us gearing up for Australia Day at Rooty Hill - Blacktown Council's Australia Day celebrations that attract a crowd of 30,000 people.

This Australia Day at Rooty Hill will have a difference.  The Foundation is giving Western Sydney the opportunity to come together in a public display of their support for the medical excellence right here in our backyards.  The work carried out every day at Westmead Millennium Institute and Westmead Hospital is world class and is there for many of our families in their time of need.

A Guinness World Records™ attempt for 'the most people wearing a surgical scrub cap' is being held on the day to raise money for our cause, with many volunteers giving up their public holiday to sell scrub caps to the crowd.

Eric d'Indy, our Executive Director is calling on Western Sydney to be part of the attempt.  "There is no better time than Australia Day to come together for a cause that supports you and your family.  Westmead provides specialist care in trauma, heart surgery, chemotherapy, transplants and neo natal intensive care to all of Western Sydney -- that's 1.85 million people!" he said.

Raphaelle, our Community Events Coordinator has held two volunteer information sessions this week (pictured below), meeting the wonderful people who are going to volunteer for us on the day.

Partnering with Blacktown City Council at their Australia Day even is an exciting opportunity for the Foundation, sharing our cause with more people in Western Sydney and raising money for the incredible research and care that happens here and impacts millions.

Come along and join us this Australia Day, be part of history and enjoy the entertainment and fireworks!

Date:         Thursday 26 January 2012
Time:         4pm -- 9pm
Location:   The Rooty Hill, Morreau Reserve, Eastern Road, Rooty Hill

Snow, ice launch new charity challenge

20 January 2011

Snow fell softly inside Sydney's Doltone House today, an eye-catching weather phenomenon designed to draw attention to our latest charity challenge, The Move Movement 2011.

For The Move Movement 2011, a small group of approximately 25 Australian business leaders will compete to raise at least $15,000 each to support medical research, and will then compete across snow and ice in teams led by Rugby Waratahs stars in New Zealand this August.

Today's launch, at the CEO Institute's annual seminar, was designed to catch the eyes and imaginations of the 400-odd CEOs who gathered at Doltone House for lunch.

(Pictured above: Kerri Lam, Sosene Anesi, Raphaelle Grojean, Ben Mowen)

Kerri, Raphaelle and Stephanie from our team were at Doltone House from 6am yesterday and today to set up this wonderful display, and are now on hand to field questions and take registrations from interested CEOs.

Waratahs team captain and Wallaby Phil Waugh was a speaker at the event, encouraging the business leaders who gathered to join up, and do their bit for charity this year.

Volunteering with WMRF

07 January 2011

Volunteering means so much to us here at Westmead Medical Research Foundation.

During 2010, we had over 200 volunteers give up their time and use their skills to help us in our cause.  This is an incredible help to Westmead Medical Research Foundation and means we can carry out activities that we wouldn't have been able to otherwise.

Elizabeth Lang joined our team as a regular volunteer in 2010.  After working 35 years in a public service job, Elizabeth met our Community Fundraising Manager Gail Ladner at our annual Race Day.  Elizabeth was so impressed with the organisation and Gail's passion for the cause, she decided to volunteer regularly.    

"It's like one big happy family in the office, I feel so welcome.  

"After working for so many years it's important to give back to your community and volunteering doesn't come with the pressure of a workplace!

"I feel proud to tell people about the work I am doing at Westmead.  I recently helped out with the My Westmead fundraising raffle in the hospital and met so many different people. 

"I had no idea what a difference fundraising makes to departments all over the hospital. You just assume the government takes care of all of that, it was a real eye opener."

No matter how much time our volunteers give up to help here at Westmead Medical Research Foundation their help is invaluable. From office work to selling raffle tickets our volunteers are part of the search for better treatments and cures. 

Have you considered volunteering?  We are always in need of volunteers, so if you're interested we'd love to hear from you.  Email Casey Evans or call 9845 9017.