Dear Auxiliaries,
In these challenging times I would like to thank you for your support and understanding. I also wanted to personally reach out to you all via video which you can watch below.
Video Transcript:
Good morning Auxiliaries. I hope you and your loved ones continue to be safe and well.
I know these are very challenging times for us all, and I wanted to let you know that I am here to support you, along with your AEC and the team at the RCH Foundation.
Please reach out to us at any time for a chat or if there’s anything at all we can do to help you.
Coming together right now is sadly not possible and therefore we have made the decision to postpone our Auxiliaries AGM until Tuesday 24 November of this year.
I wanted to let you know in advance so you can mark the date in your diaries. A formal invitation will follow, with RSVP details closer to the time. It will be wonderful to be able to come together and it will be at this time that I will make the announcement of the recipient of the Madge Tate Award.
We announced the Living Treasure Recipients in the last Auxiliaries Digest but I want to personally congratulate and acknowledge the wonderful contribution that each and everyone of our 15 Living Treasures made. I look forward to the time that I can personally present you with your certificates and badges and when we can celebrate together.
I also wanted to touch base with you today to share some exciting news.
As you know, this year marks 150 year of our beloved Royal Children’s Hospital.
I know how passionate and committed you all are to supporting sick children and their families.
The AEC and I recently learned of a new grant that needs support – a new Radiation Dose Tracking System for the department of Medical Imaging.
This new system will enable clinicians to track the amount of radiation a patient is receiving throughout their time at the RCH.
This new system will automatically record and collate a patient’s radiation dose information for all procedures, in a quick and usable format.
The timely and accurate recording of this information is so important, as we know that large doses of radiation in children can lead to cancer development.
This new software system will cost $150,000 and I am inviting all Auxiliaries to come together to support this vital initiative as our gift to the RCH in its 150th year.
The Auxiliaries are the hospital’s longest standing philanthropic partner and what better way to commemorate our time honoured history of giving than collectively supporting such a significant project in this milestone year.
We will find out more about this project at our AGM in November, but I wanted to give you the time to discuss your Auxiliaries’ capacity to give.
Your safety is our absolute priority so we understand you cannot currently take part in your usual fundraising activities and perhaps you could consider using some of your existing funds.
The AEC is also currently working on a number of strategies to support Auxiliaries should you wish to resume some fundraising activities in a safe and innovative way. More about this soon.
I also want to let you know that Janice Memery has, after great consideration, resigned from your AEC. Janice has made an invaluable contribution to the AEC over the many years that she has been a member. We are so very grateful to her for the time and energy that she has given and delighted that she is staying on as President of Broadmeadows Auxiliary.
I am now delighted to let you know and to welcome, Jan Gilbertson, President of Parkville Auxiliary, to the AEC. We are all looking forward to working with Jan and know that she will make a wonderful contribution to our work.
My last news for today is to thank our dear Gwen Bromley from Geelong Auxiliary. Gwen was one of our lucky DEMNDS raffle prize winner having won a beautiful David Bromley’s Butterfly print. Gwen very generously donated this to the Butterfly Ward where staff, patients and family will be able to enjoy the colourful print. Thank you Gwen.
So my thanks now go to all our auxiliary members. Please stay in touch and let Laura or me know if you have any questions or if you need any help or support.
In the meantime, please stay safe and well. Take care of yourself and your loved
Dr Miriam (Mim) Weisz
President of RCH Auxiliaries