By Brendan Rees
The community has rallied behind a cancer survivor during a High Tea fund-raiser at Wilson Botanic Park in Berwick on Sunday 19 November in her quest to beat the harrowing disease.
Cancer victim Effie Atkins says the community’s response in supporting her campaign to raise money for ‘Dr Hope’ – an oncologist position to support Monash Health’s clinical cancer trials – had been nothing short of amazing.
Effie’s life turned around after she offered herself as a guinea pig for an experimental trial at Monash Hospital – a new form of cancer treatment that mobilises a person’s immune system to fight the disease.
Her tumour has shrunk, and she remains in good health.
The 66-year-old grandmother from Berwick said the High Tea “turned out to be a spectacular success.”
“Almost 100 people paid to attend, and enjoyed a really beautiful afternoon.”
“Music was provided by local choir leader and musician Simon Loveless, and vocalist Georgia Lillycrapp.”
Effie said guest speaker Dr Ben Markman of the Monash Clinical Drug Trials unit explained the purpose of the event, and the fund-raising campaign, adding: “People were very interested to listen to the speech.”
“With this event the campaign to date has already raised just short of $10,000. A big thankyou to everyone for participating and a special thanks to the sponsors.”
“Among our most generous sponsors were those who provided all the free food and drink for the High Tea. These were: D’Angelo Wines of Officer, Phil’s Pies and Pastries at Parkhill, Berwick; Margo’s Fine Chocolate and Cafe at Parkhill, Berwick and Baker’s Delight Parkhill, Berwick.”
She also praised the support from Star News in their “major help towards this great achievement.”
Effie is now preparing for a Great Gatsby Gala Ball fund-raiser at Bunjil Place next year on Saturday 14 April. Tables for this event are already being booked on the Try Booking website at ‘The Dr Hope Great Gatsby Gala Ball.’
