A GENEROUS gesture by a local Lions club has helped the Riverland General Hospital to purchase a trans perineal biopsy machine used specifically for diagnosing prostate cancer.
A boat gifted to the Berri Lions Club was recently sold to a Sydney resident for $24,000 and all funds put towards the hospital’s purchase.
Berri Lions Club member and Riverland General Hospital (Berri Barmera hospital) deputy chair Terry Mullan said the boat sale followed Melbourne-based Male Bag Foundation last year tipping in $60,000 towards purchasing one of the machines, which typically cost between $80,000 and $90,000.
“We had to come up with (that) extra $25,000 so I went to the Lions and together thought of ways to fundraise,” Mr Mullan said.
“The club was gifted a boat by an anonymous (person) in the region, who lost his father to prostate cancer and has suffered through it himself.
“That money almost had us over the line, but we also sold a few other things which rounded up to about $2000.”
Mr Mullan said other Lions clubs and organisations had expressed interest to help fundraise.
“Prostate cancer is one of the highest cancers in men nationwide, that’s why the Male Bag Foundation chose to donated to a region like the Riverland, as it’s so far from the city,” he said.
“When other clubs found out they were willing to upgrade the theatre’s neurology department.”
Berri Lions Club president Karin Knowling said the machine would have many benefits.
“Having the machine and new equipment up here may attract more specialists to the region or possibly open job opportunities,” she said.
“It will save men travelling to and from Adelaide and save them a lot of money.
“A lot of the time, men would have to stay overnight so they have to spend money on accommodation and things like that, and if they have a family it can be even harder.
“People now get to stay home and go to the hospital ins