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The Townsville community is being urged to dig deep and donate for Mater Giving Day on Thursday 25 June, helping to drive new research and improved healthcare services for people across North Queensland.
Every dollar donated on Giving Day will go far – with all donations to be tripled, thanks to the generosity of Mater’s matching partners.
Generous community donations in recent years have allowed Mater Foundation to give back more than $9.3 million for care and equipment in Townsville.
Part of that investment has gone towards new chairs in Mater Townsville’s renal dialysis unit, which relocated from Hyde Park to the hospital’s Pimlico campus this year.
The number of renal dialysis chairs has also increased from eight to 12.
Mater Townsville Nephrologist Dr Rahul Dua said the new unit has been welcomed by patients.
“Patients are loving the new chairs and the new machines,” Dr Dua said.
“It’s very bright compared to our previous facility with lots of natural sunlight, it’s very positive.
“One of the main reasons to expand was the fact that we were at capacity at Hyde Park.
“We can now dialyse more patients, and we get many patients who are in Townsville to visit family and friends from places like Ingham and Charters Towers who are able to receive dialysis treatment here.”
Jenny Ezzy, 74, a renal dialysis patient at Mater, is grateful for the care provided at the new unit.
“I’m just so grateful I’m able to come here,” Ms Ezzy said.
“Between Dr Dua and the staff here I’m very well looked after, and I’m only 10 minutes’ drive down the road.
“It’s great to have such great medical care close by.”
Between 2001 and 2024, the number of hospitalisations for dialysis in Australia tripled from 582,000 to 1.7 million.
Dr Dua said with an aging population and increasing rates of diabetes, the need for dialysis is expected to continue growing, and Mater is ready to meet the demand.
“We are well suited for the future, as we can increase the number of dialysis chairs if we need to,” Dr Dua said.
Mater Townsville Acting General Manager Anna Olson said Giving Day is an opportunity for the community to say thank you to Mater People for the work they do every day.
“We’re encouraging Townsville locals who may have been cared for at Mater, or if their family or friends have been cared for at Mater, to consider supporting this important cause,” Ms Olson said.
“It’s an opportunity to show gratitude to our incredible staff, who are dedicated to providing world-class healthcare to the people of Townsville every day.”
Mater Foundation Chief Executive Andrew Thomas thanked matching partners for their generosity allowing all Giving Day donations to be tripled.
“What that means is triple the funding we can put towards care, equipment and research that benefits Rockhampton, helping more people receive treatment closer to home,” Mr Thomas said.
“Giving Day gives back to the community through enhanced care, so we’re urging everyone to dig deep and give if they can.
“We are hoping to raise a total of $2 million this Giving Day, and we can’t do it without your support.”
