Grampians Health launches largest philanthropic campaign in its history to bring clinical trials closer to home
Grampians Health has today launched the public phase of its Care Closer to Home Appeal, the largest philanthropic campaign in the organisation’s history, with a $15 million target to transform healthcare for communities across western Victoria.
The campaign is built on a simple belief: where someone lives should not determine the quality of healthcare they can access.
Following more than four years in a quiet phase, the campaign has already raised $4.1 million towards its first major project, a Family Accommodation Village in Ballarat. Stage 1 of the village is now fully funded, with construction expected to commence in the coming months.
The purpose-built accommodation will provide an affordable place for families to stay close to loved ones receiving care, helping keep families together when they need each other most.
The campaign now enters its public phase, with a focus on establishing a dedicated Clinical Research Centre at Grampians Health.
For people across western Victoria, accessing clinical trials and innovative treatments can mean travelling to Melbourne, spending time away from family and support networks, and facing additional financial, physical and emotional pressures during an already challenging time.
Grampians Health CEO Dale Fraser said the Clinical Research Centre would help ensure regional patients had greater access to the latest advances in healthcare without having to leave their communities.
“Today marks an important milestone for Grampians Health and the communities we serve,” Mr Fraser said. “We know that where someone lives should not determine the quality of healthcare they can access. For too many people across western Victoria, accessing clinical trials and innovative treatments still means travelling long distances away from home and family.
“Grampians Health is already a leader in clinical research, with more than 250 active research studies, including more than 100 clinical trials. A dedicated Clinical Research Centre will allow us to build on that expertise, expand opportunities for patients and attract new research and partnerships to our region. This is about giving more people the opportunity to access potentially life-changing treatments closer to home.”
Grampians Health currently delivers clinical trials across a broad range of specialties and is one of few regional centres able to deliver Phase I–IV clinical trials.
With demand for clinical trials continuing to grow, existing facilities have reached capacity. The proposed Clinical Research Centre will provide dedicated space to expand research programs, support clinicians and researchers, attract new research opportunities and partnerships, and give more patients across western Victoria the opportunity to participate in clinical trials closer to home.
More than $1.4 million has already been secured to kick-start fundraising for the Clinical Research Centre.
Acting Chair of Grampians Health and member of the Volunteer Philanthropic Campaign Committee, Cora Trevarthen, said the campaign represented a shared vision for the future of healthcare across the region.
“This campaign is about much more than bricks and mortar. It is about people,” Ms Trevarthen said.
“It is about a farmer from Horsham, a young parent from Ararat, a retiree from Stawell, a family from Maryborough, or a patient from Ballarat being able to access world-class care closer to home.
“When we talk about a Clinical Research Centre, we are talking about hope. We are giving more people the opportunity to access leading-edge treatments and clinical trials without the financial, physical and emotional burden of travelling long distances. This campaign is not just for Ballarat. The people who will benefit live right across western Victoria, and the impact of these projects will be felt throughout our region.”
Ballarat Health Services Foundation Chair Lindsay Florence said the Foundation had been working behind the scenes for more than four years to help build the campaign and bring its vision to life.
“The Ballarat Health Services Foundation has committed $2 million to the Care Closer to Home Appeal, including $1 million towards the Family Accommodation Village and $1 million to launch fundraising for the Clinical Research Centre,” Mr Florence said.
“The public launch marks an exciting new chapter, but this campaign has been made possible by the generosity and leadership of our founding donors over many years. We now invite the wider community to join us. Together, we can help change lives by giving more regional patients the opportunity to access clinical trials and innovative treatments closer to home.”
The campaign has been supported by a Volunteer Philanthropic Campaign Committee comprising community leaders who have generously given their time and resources to champion the appeal.
Grampians Health and the Ballarat Health Services Foundation acknowledge the generosity of the campaign’s Founding Donors:
• Ballarat Health Services Foundation
• Ballarat Base Hospital Trained Nurses League
• Ballarat Turf Club
• Collier Charitable Trust
• Community Bank Avoca, Maryborough & St Arnaud
• Community Bank Bacchus Marsh
• Community Bank Buninyong
• Community Bank Creswick & District
• Goldacres: The Richards Family
• Good Friday Appeal
• Haymes Family Foundation
• Handbury Foundation
• Oliver Family Foundation
• Percy Baxter Charitable Fund
• W&D Finance
• Andrew & Jill Oliver
• Prof Andrew Reeves
• Cora Trevarthen
• Chris Alizzi
• Dr David Deutscher & Dr Shantini Deutscher
• David Pratt OAM
• Gay Family
• George & Margaret Menhennet
• Jane & Tim Valpied
• Janet Torney
• Margaret McWilliam
• Robert Rowe
• Ron, Val & Jim Selkirk
• Tony Stone
To learn more about the campaign or if you would like to make a donation, please click here.
