LOCAL LIFE
MAKE A DIFFERENCE : Better Foundation
by Lorna Gordon
Blacktown City is one of the fasted growing populations and our services do their best to keep up with the demands of this . While government funding bears the brunt of costs , there are always extras required that the budget can ’ t quite stretch to .
Created in 2016 , the Better Foundation is the official fundraising arm of Blacktown and Mt Druitt hospitals providing them with additional funding for vital pieces of equipment , money for research and extra finance to provide advanced education for staff .
Kerrie Powers , the CEO of Better Foundation , took some time out of her busy schedule to have a chat to me about what they are trying to achieve and why supporting local charities is of benefit to all of us .
“ I encourage local people to give to the Better Foundation , everything comes back to benefit you and your family in some way by helping the hospitals . The donations ensure we have the best medical equipment and quality of care possible .”
The foundation is currently focusing on Cardiology and had a Carnivale Gala Dinner at the end of May and raised $ 120,000 for Blacktown Hospital ’ s Cardiology unit . This money allowed them to purchase vital pieces of equipment which provide life saving treatment for people who have had heart attacks , heart failure or strokes .
The cardiology team attended the recent fundraiser which raised over $ 120,000 .
While these large pieces of equipment are essential for our health and wellbeing , the smaller pieces of equipment they help to purchase are just as important .
“ Smaller things can make the biggest difference for patients , and don ’ t always have to spend a huge amount to get benefits . We have purchased glucose monitors for people with diabetes which are essential life saving devices .
“ We have also bought special scanners which help locate blood vessels so help draw blood or give IV medicine
and we recently supplied a LUCAS machine to Mt Druitt hospital to help cardiac patients .”
It ’ s not just our physical health which is being looked after . They have given money to support our mental health and the money provided also goes towards education , to try and stop people needing to go to the hospital by being better aware of how to take care of themselves and live long , healthy lives .
While the money given to the Better Foundation is kept in our area for the
benefit of our community , they also allow you to give to specific departments or projects that are meaningful to you and your family .
If you want to know more about Better Foundation , you can go to their website at www . betterfoundation . org . au . All donations above $ 2 are tax deductible , you can give a direct donation , ask friends and family to make a donation on your behalf for a special occasion or you can take part in a fundraising event and help bring in vital funds which will help us all .
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12 ISSUE 41 // AUGUST 2024 theindependentmagazine . com . au BLACKTOWN CITY INDEPENDENT