Entering a medical facility, whether it be for an emergency, scheduled surgery or ongoing care, can be an anxiety-inducing experience. Working to ease the nervousness of clinical encounters is the Canberra Hospital Foundation (CHF). CHF’s annual flagship fundraiser event CAN GIVE DAY returns on 26 September.

“We’re the conduit between the generosity of people who want to support, say thank you, and show gratitude, and the recipients benefiting from our grant rounds. The funds raised at CAN GIVE DAY support one of those grant rounds,” says Helen Falla, CEO, Canberra Hospital Foundation.

Operating under a couple of different titles since 2008, it was in 2020 that CHF became its own legal charitable entity. Keeping the moniker, they were able to broaden their charitable efforts to encompass all public hospitals, walk-in centres and healthcare centres around the Canberra region.

“We support anybody going through a healthcare journey that lives in Canberra, plus the surrounding regional area as well. In fact, 35 per cent of patients that come to the health services in ACT are regional,” says Ms Falla.

During the fundraising day, heroes spring into action as Batman and Catwoman scale one of the hospital walls in the Big Wig Challenge. Joining these crusaders are Susan Proctor, Chair of the Canberra Hospital Foundation, and other influential community figures, all showing their support for Canberra’s healthcare workers.

Not classifying herself as a ‘Big Wig’, Ms Proctor says she is a small business owner who sees the experience as confronting your fears and reaching fundraising goals. She says to become a Big Wig, all you need to do is fundraise the $10,000 target. Although she is terrified of heights, Ms Proctor has a special reason for participating in this year’s challenge.

“I’m terrified of heights, however, what gives me strength is my colleague Gabry who was in the hospital going through her healthcare journey and she has now passed away. If she can do what she did and go through all of that, I can come off a wall.”

Supporting her colleague and friend, Ms Proctor attended Gabry’s first chemotherapy treatment with her at Canberra Hospital. In the chemo ward, they were visited by the tea trolley whose volunteers offered cuppas and biscuits, which she said was a comforting break from the reality of what was happening.

“It was incredible to know that CHF funds the tea trolleys in such an environment. Then, walking out and seeing beautiful artwork, also funded by CHF, you realise how much it helps to escape from this alien world where you feel scared, intimidated, and uncertain about what’s going to happen. It transports you into a different environment, even if just for a moment.”

Throughout her journey, Ms Proctor’s tenacious friend continuously sought ways to help others, including guiding CHF’s chair to see areas where CHF could improve or provide additional support.

“Even while dealing with all the terrifying things, she was still thinking of others experiencing that environment. As a legacy to Gabry, I’m doing this [Big Wig Challenge] and then I’m going to take all of those learnings and work with the professionals who understand the needs of their staff and patients to see what else we can do.”

Locals can come and watch the Big Wig Challenge on the day and are encouraged to host their fundraising activities or events in their own offices and spaces. Plans for the day include the return of the much-loved Canberra Region Cancer Centre bake sale. You can buy a ticket to the Master Cook Challenge (16 October) which sees four chefs battle it out to be the best cook in town.

If the day brings in its average of $350,000 this year, it will bring the total raised by the event in the past five years to $1.5 million, but both women say they are hoping to break records this year. All the money raised will go towards the goal of making health spaces less clinical and ensuring patients and families are comfortable while receiving the highest quality care.

From conception to the end of life, CHF supports people accessing ACT medical services. Their initiatives make medical spaces less clinical through the addition of comfortable furnishing and artworks, funding clinical trials and research and state-of-the-art medical equipment like the Robotics Rehabilitation Program at the University of Canberra Hospital.

“What this does for a patient is enable them to receive treatment more quickly, easing the burden on physiotherapists and occupational therapists,” says Ms Falla. “With this fantastic equipment, patients don’t have to wait for their bodies to reach a certain strength level—repetitions are more frequent and faster. It’s a unique way for patients to feel like they’re making progress because everything is displayed on screen.”

“You can track your performance and achieve goals on the screen, providing motivation to continue moving your arm in the way the physio has programmed the machine to suit your needs,” says Ms Proctor.

Therapeutic programs like the SPICE dementia initiative and therapy dogs for patients and health workers are also high priorities for CHF. Supporting mental health and wellbeing throughout any medical journey is a key aspect of their holistic approach. One example is the new Wellbeing Space set to open at the Canberra Region Cancer Centre in December.

“That will provide a space for people to step away from the clinical side of treatment and doctor’s appointments, allowing them to be around others who are going through similar journeys. We can also bring in external organisations to offer additional support to those patients,” says Ms Falla.

In the brand-new Critical Services Building is an emergency department fitted out with state-of-the-art medical equipment. To make the space more comforting for young patients, CHF added special touches, including two rooms with virtual reality technology embedded in the walls and floor. This interactive feature allows leaves to fall or animals to appear in response to movement, creating a soothing environment for the littlest visitors.

“When you come into the ED, something’s happened, and you’re not feeling great—you’re upset. For a child in that environment, with all the unfamiliar smells, people, and activity, having a special room where they can go to be soothed and calmed helps everyone,” says Ms Falla.

CHF is deeply integrated with the community, they have over 120 groups and individuals they collaborate with to make the medical journey easier for those receiving care of some kind. Some organisations craft handmade blankets and toys to be distributed to patients.

“It’s incredible the difference a small blanket or a teddy bear can make. Knowing that someone in the community, who doesn’t even know them, has given it to them makes a huge impact on their day and their recovery,” says Ms Falla.

“One of my clients was very sick in hospital earlier this year and when I went to visit him, he had a teddy on his bed. That was a talking point for him, his wife, his visitors, bringing some normality back to a foreign, often difficult situation,” says Ms Proctor.

Gratitude is part of the healing process, says Ms Falla. Often, previous patients and their loved ones donate or volunteer after their journey with the health services. Donating to CAN GIVE DAY is also a way to thank our tireless healthcare workers for all the work they do. So, whether you want to thank someone for the help you or your family have received or make a meaningful difference in the life of someone going through a tough time, jump on the CHF website and get involved today.

For every dollar donated to CAN GIVE DAY’s fundraising efforts, CHF’s generous supporting organisations around the community have promised to match it. Locals are invited to sign up for the inaugural Can Golf Day, supported by Workday, as part of the fundraising or can keep an eye out for some great buys in the All Bids auction.

Support those who support our community in CAN GIVE DAY on Thursday 26 September; canberrahospitalfoundation.org.au

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