Daughter’s fundraiser brings lifesaving cancer equipment to LRH

A Gippsland daughter’s heartfelt fundraising effort is set to make life easier for hundreds of Latrobe Regional Health cancer patients who also have implanted devices such as pacemakers.

Renee Winterton shaved her head in 2024 in honour of her father, Geoff, while he was undergoing cancer treatment at LRH, raising $19,000 for the hospital’s cancer care services.

Ms Winterton recently returned to see the difference that generosity has made, helping fund a $12,800 defibrillation unit and cardiac monitor.

The new equipment allows cancer patients with pacemakers or implanted cardiac devices to safely undergo chemotherapy or radiation therapy, while clinicians closely monitor their device throughout treatment.

Until now, those patients had to travel to Melbourne for care, but this burden will now be lifted for up to 200 Gippsland families each year.

“This new machine is in honour of my dad, Geoff, , who sadly passed away on the 4th October 2024,” Ms Winterton said.

“I’m so happy we were able to purchase this equipment. It will mean so much for patients to receive treatment locally and not have to travel.

“So many people came along to our fundraising day, and we’re so proud to see what that money has gone towards.”

For Renee and her family, the machine stands not only as a piece of lifesaving equipment, but as a lasting symbol of community compassion.

She was touched by the community support at the fundraiser, held at the Rosedale Hotel, where family, friends and locals — including her dad — gathered for a raffle and a day of giving.

Renee said she would work with LRH to look at how the remainder of the fundraised money could be used to support cancer care in Gippsland.

LRH radiation oncology Assistant Nurse Unit Manager Suzanne Vallis said the new defibrillator would play a vital role in patient safety.

“Being able to provide this service locally makes an enormous difference for our patients,” she said.

“We need to be careful that implanted devices are not affected during radiotherapy. We have to monitor them closely to make sure they are kept safe during treatment.

“This machine allows us to ensure a patient’s pacemaker continues to work properly throughout their care.”