surgical robot would be operated by skilled surgeons,
helping make surgery safer and patients’ recovery faster.
(Photo/Supplied)
Fundraising for a
world-class surgical robot at Palmerston North Regional
Hospital is well on its way, with the campaign already
bolstered by a generous $500,000 private
donation.
Surgical robots are used by surgeons to make
procedures more precise, safer, and speed up patient
recovery. Able to be used across a range of disciplines,
having this cutting-edge technology at Palmerston North
Regional Hospital is expected to significantly improve
surgery and cancer care for the central North
Island.
Chair of the Palmerston North Hospital
Foundation, Brendan Duffy, says their donor was proud to
support the project but wanted to keep their name out of the
limelight. “For them, it’s not about recognition, it’s
about the impact this will have for the thousands of people
who need surgery every year. A private donation of this size
shows just how much people believe in this
project.”
The project has also received a further
$32,000 of donations since launching its campaign last
month. Ranging from $40 to $5,000+, support has poured in
from both businesses and individuals, including TailoredNZ,
Selwyn Yorke, Isabelle Vanderkolk, and many others. Gaye
Fell, who plants an acre of sunflowers each year for
fundraising, worked with Mitre 10 Mega Palmerston North, and
together they raised nearly $9,000 from local
customers.
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“We’re pleased with the support to
date, but we’re also not surprised,” says Duffy. “We
know the amazing people in our community, and the level of
generosity that lives here. Every donation helps us on our
way, and people are giving what they can.”
To help
the community get behind the project, a community
fundraising kit has been created and is available on the
Foundation’s website. It includes fundraising activity
ideas, posters, information about the surgical robot, and
even a donation tracking tool.
“Anyone can get
involved, whether that’s fundraising individually, as a
business, school or challenging your local sports club. We
want to make it easy for the community to help themselves –
because this project will help all of us. It’s rare to
meet a person who doesn’t know someone who ends up needing
these services.”
Currently, the Hospital’s cancer
services support a population of more than half a million
people. This includes patients from Palmerston North,
Manawatū, Horowhenua, and Tararua, but also Ōtaki,
Whanganui, Wairarapa, Taranaki, and Hawke’s
Bay.
“When it comes to this kind of treatment, time
matters. Our goal is to have this in place by the end of the
year because we know that the sooner patients can access it,
the better off they’ll be. It’s a big goal, but the
support we’re seeing already tells us that it’s
absolutely possible.”
To donate or find out more,
visit: www.pnhospitalfoundation.co.nz
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