‘A magnificent outcome’: $20k raised for GV Health Foundation

“This is a wonderful collaboration for this business, our foundation, GV Health and most importantly people accessing local oncology services,” she said.

“For the foundation it demonstrates what real partnerships can do in our community when we drive them from within and use our collective circles of influence for good.

“What we try to do every day at the GV Health Foundation and events like these are successful because they are so well supported by our community and all the GV Health staff — it takes a village.”

Graham Hill Eyecare director Mark DePaola said they doubled their fundraising goal with the “incredible” support from the community.

“Our sunglasses expo day was twice as busy as the next busiest day in the 50-year history of the business,” he said.

“We are so grateful to the support of our community and to be able to contribute to such an invaluable service that is there for people in such a time of such vulnerability.

“So many people on the day talked about their personal connection to the care provided by the oncology team.”

Vicki Scott, the ambassador for the inaugural event and a supporter of The GV Health Foundation, said she was honoured to be part of something that was so focused on the community.

“Cancer impacts everyone, (it) doesn’t discriminate. Your life and the lives of those you love can change in a matter of moments,” she said.

“Funding like this means you can hopefully get better quicker in your own community whilst actually trying to lead a normal life as much as possible.”

The GV Health Foundation hopes to continue fundraising events, such as previously cancelled pink ribbon breakfasts, in 2023.

It is expected this funding will help provide important access for cancer treatment to people in Greater Shepparton and beyond.