Cancer Council WA was the grateful recipient of a major donation of $25,000, enabling the organisation to secure a new Transport to Treatment van which assists country patients getting to hospital appointments from the Cancer Council WA Lodges.
Ivor Cohen, Director of local real estate agency Churchill Knight, says his motivation to donate to Cancer Council WA stems from the significant impact cancer has had on his family.
"I have lost my mother, sister and father all to cancer," Mr Cohen said.
"My mother passed away from bladder cancer in 1994 when she was 71.
"In 2013, my sister was taken away from me at just 56 from breast cancer.
"Then last year, my father passed away from colon cancer at the age of 95.
"The impact of losing my loved ones to cancer has been profound.
"I have witnessed first hand what cancer patients go through, so when I found out about what the lodges do for rural cancer patients, I felt a strong sense of wanting to give back."
Mr Cohen has also signed up as a volunteer relief driver at Cancer Council WA lodges, and was so thrilled to witness first hand the impact his donation has had on the local community.
"I felt a great deal of personal satisfaction after my first shift," Mr Cohen said.
"No one knew I was the major donor of the van. All of the patients were getting on for the first time and were talking about how lovely the van is.
"There is no better feeling in the world than being able to see with my own eyes how I have directly helped those impacted by cancer."
Cancer Council WA Accommodation Services Manager, Ron ten Hoor, said Cancer Council WA was incredibly grateful to Mr Cohen.
"We would like to sincerely thank Mr Cohen for his generous donation towards the new Transport to Treatment van," Mr ten Hoor said.
"Our dedicated transport service allows cancer patients to relax before and after treatment so they can focus solely on their wellbeing.
"Our service also reduces the burden from friends and family who often have to help out when patients are too sick to drive themselves.
Last year, there were more than 6000 Transport to Treatment transfers provided to Lodge guests.
"This donation ensures Cancer Council WA is able to continue to meet the increasing demand and provide safe, convenient and comfortable transport for patients to their hospital appointments," Mr ten Hoor said.
Cancer Council WA Accomodation in Perth
Our two self-catering accommodation lodges in Perth offer a home-away-from-home for regional cancer patients and their carers. Both facilities offer free transport to hospital appointments.
