There are a number of not-for-profit foundations in the charitable giving sector which provide assistance towards medical research and health services in Australia. Many of them have a specific focus such as cancer, diabetes, arthritis etcetera. There is a large focus on medical research, as well as providing information and raising awareness of specific health conditions but some charities also fund specific support for patients undergoing treatment. For example, as of May 2014 the McGrath Foundation has funded the placement of 98 breast care nurses in communities across Australia to support families.
Another organisation, the Starlight Children’s Foundation, has partnered with health professionals to develop programs which support the care of children and teenagers based on positive psychology principles. Every paediatric hospital in Australia has a Starlight Express Room where children can have a break from medical treatment by engaging in fun activities with volunteers. The Starlight Foundation also visits children who are unable to leave the ward.
Ronald McDonald House Charities provides accommodation for families of seriously ill children being treated at hospital. There are 16 Ronald McDonald Houses throughout Australia and more than 360 houses worldwide. In addition to accommodation they also fund family rooms, family retreats, and learning programs to assist children to catch-up on missed schooling while undertaking treatment for illness.
Wellness Centre
One group helping to provide scientists with equipment to improve diagnosis, prevention and treatment of cancer is the Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF). To date, the ACRF has awarded $136.8m in cancer research grants to Australian research initiatives.
Thirteen projects were submitted to the ACRF in 2017 for evaluation by their medical research advisory committee, which then recommended four grants to the ACRF board. One of those was for a wellness centre in South West Centre. Recently the ACRF provided a $2m grant towards the building of a wellness centre in Liverpool, Sydney. The centre will partner with universities and research institutes to focus on gathering evidence on a range of complementary treatments, which aim to improve quality of life outcomes for cancer patients.
Charities in Australia supporting health services can be donated to in a number of ways. Those unable to assist financially can provide help by donating their time, undertaking tasks such as administration and fundraising. Volunteering is open to people of any age, cultural background, or circumstance. Research has found that volunteers have longer lives, lower rates of depression, and reduced incidence of heart disease. Volunteering is a great way to get involved in the community, make new friends, enjoy new experiences, and develop professional networks.