GV Health Foundation announced the partnership with one of the Greater Shepparton’s longest-running community events earlier this month.
The Shepparton Running Festival was established in 1998, bringing together runners, volunteers, families and supporters to combine community, health and wellbeing.
This year, runners can make every kilometre count further by throwing their strides behind the appeal, which aims to deliver a new fully integrated cancer centre to GV Health.
The proposed centre will bring cancer treatment, specialist clinics and wellness services together in one purpose-built facility, creating a more integrated model of care to meet the growing and increasingly complex needs of cancer patients across the Goulburn Valley.
The GV Health Foundation is aiming to raise $5 million during its I Care for Cancer @ GV Health appeal towards the construction of the centre, which will bring the Shepparton hospital’s cancer health care in line with Victoria’s other five designated regional public health services.
Currently, GV Health remains the only designated regional public health services in the state without an Integrated Cancer Centre.
GV Health Foundation’s Amy De Paola said the partnership was a natural fit, as it connected a community event centred on health and wellbeing with a campaign that would improve cancer care facilities in the region.
She praised staff at GV Health’s Peter Copulos Cancer Centre for their initiative and commitment to supporting the appeal.
“Our oncology staff dedicate themselves every day to caring for people facing cancer, so it’s fantastic to see them pull on their running shoes and volunteering their time to actively support this campaign,” Ms De Paola said.
“Whether you run, sponsor a participant, volunteer your time or donate, there are many ways to get involved.
“We really encourage the community to get behind it.”
Event co-ordinator Matthew Morris said the partnership strengthened the festival’s longstanding focus on community wellbeing.
“The Shepparton Running Festival has always been about bringing community together through health, wellbeing and connection,” he said.
“Partnering with the GV Health Foundation means participants now have the opportunity to help improve cancer care for local families while taking part in one of the region's favourite events.”
Participants will be able to support the cause via QR code donation links on their race bibs as well as creating their own fundraising pages through the foundation's SupporterHub platform.
Funds will be raised via donations to individual participants’ fundraising pages, not through entry fees.
The Campbell’s Shepparton Running Festival will be held on August 15 and 16. To register, visit shepparton.run
To fundraise for the I Care for Cancer Care appeal as a runner in the event, email GVHealthFoundation@gvhealth.org.au
To sponsor GV Health’s I Care for Cancer Care running team, visit tinyurl.com/2na6u8by
To volunteer at the Shepparton Running Festival, email GVHealthFoundation@gvhealth.org.au
