Pink and Blue Swim/Walk

Pink and Blue Swim raises $20,000 for St Andrew’s Breast Care Service

Once again, the West Beach Surf Life Saving Club hosted a wonderful event followed by a fun-filled evening at the Tickled Pink Comedy Night. A big shout-out must go to the committee members, sponsors and volunteers who helped put together such a great event.

Along with the Prostate Cancer Foundation, our breast care services are again the very grateful recipient of funds raised from the 2021 Pink and Blue swim. The event has raised more than $325,000 towards these two causes over the past five years. A magnificent e ort.

After the appearance of some dark clouds and a brief rain shower early in the morning, the sun arrived just in time for the many participants who entered to swim or walk.

Proceeds from last year’s event enabled the hospital to purchase a gamma probe, an important piece of surgical equipment used by surgeons to identify, during a biopsy, the breast cancer patient’s sentinel (lymph) nodes to be removed and assessed.

This year’s funds will be used to refurbish the 3rd floor patient and visitor lounge and kitchen, benefiting both breast and prostate cancer patients.

Cancer patients are admitted to the 3rd floor of the hospital and, sadly, there may be di cult conversations between doctors, patients and patients’ families. Currently, those conversations often occur in the patient and visitor lounge and kitchen which has remained unchanged for well over 10 years. Our nursing sta identified the need for the refurbishment of this space’s flooring, painting, new joinery, furniture, kitchen and appliances. This year, the surf club has donated $20,000 which will help give our cancer patients a comfortable and welcoming stay when on the hospital’s 3rd floor.

The foundation and hospital is proud to have this continued relationship with the WBSLC Community, and we sincerely thank the event’s organisers and sponsors for their support again this year.

SAH Volunteer, Maggie Sutherland & SAH Chaplain Peter Morel

Some of the Nursing team from the third floor

This year’s funds will be used to refurbish the 3rd floor patient and visitor lounge and kitchen, benefiting both breast and prostate cancer patients.