The Biggest Ever Blokes Lunch has been buoyed by a $60,000 donation from the Freemasons, which will lead to safer prostate diagnoses.
Freemasons Foundation Victoria has joined with Goulburn Valley Freemasons to fund biopsy equipment for Goulburn Valley Health.
Prostate cancer is the most prevalent of all cancers in the Goulburn Murray region, representing 27 per cent of all male cancer diagnoses.
To access the latest and safest diagnostic procedures, Goulburn Valley men have had to travel to Melbourne, adding stress for the patient and their family at a time of potential ill health and financial burden.
However, that burden will ease thanks to the Freemasons’ donation.
The Biggest Ever Blokes Lunch in Shepparton raises money for and awareness of men’s health issues, particular prostate and bowel cancer, and mental health.
The support was announced at the latest lunch on Friday, September 26, held at MOVE, and will enable a trans perineal biopsy to be undertaken locally through GV Health.
To date, only trans rectal ultrasound biopsies were available at GV Health, which has a higher risk of infection and mortality. In contrast, the trans perineal biopsy has almost no infection risk.
The donation, comprising $5000 from the local Freemasons and $55,000 from Freemasons Foundation Victoria adds to the $60,000 already committed by men’s health charity The Male Bag Foundation.
Chairman of FFV Rodney Lavin commended the local Freemasons for their dedication to the project.
“Charity is one of the most important tenets of Freemasonry and there’s nothing that makes me prouder than seeing our Brethren supporting stronger and healthier communities through their activities,” he said.
“We are honoured to be able to enhance their local fundraising through the Freemasons Foundation’s work.”
Secretary of Valley Chapter for the Freemasons Geoffrey Thompson said he hopes upgrading the equipment at GV Health’s oncology ward will lead to earlier and more accurate detection of prostate problems for the region’s men.
“We’ve been really encouraged by the work done in the area of prostate and men’s health by the Biggest Ever Blokes Lunch,” he said.
“Through these events, they’ve raised thousands for prostate research and funded a specialist Nurse position at GV Health.
“This is so important as we have an ageing society, which inevitably means more prevalence of prostate cancer in the region. This equipment is a big win for blokes out here, and the community as a whole.”
Chairman of the Biggest Ever Blokes Lunch Shane O’Sullivan credited committee member David Hayes, who is also a member of the Freemasons, for helping make the donation possible.
“It's just one out of the box. It's amazing, amazing indeed,” he said.
“So we're very, very grateful to the Freemasons Foundation and to David Hayes our local committee man.
“It certainly gives you a good feeling to think that what we are doing is good and worthwhile if organisations like that can recognize the goodness that it does do.”