News

Bay of Plenty Energy Sponsors Cancer Centre - 12 October 2007

"The jewel in the crown" is how Project Hope Chairman Colin Hammond describes the sponsorship partnership with local energy company Bay of Plenty Energy.

Chairman Colin Hammond announced today that Bay of Plenty Energy has become the Naming Rights sponsor of the Whakatane Cancer Centre.

The partnership will mean the local centre will be officially and permanently named 'The Bay of Plenty Energy Cancer Centre'.

Colin believes the ongoing partnership with Bay of Plenty Energy, as one of the key stakeholders in the Eastern Bay community is a fitting one.

Attaining a large sponsor was the third tier in the funding campaign, which had "received tremendous support from the general public and community groups, then the building sector and trades people – and now to have a naming rights sponsor come on board – it's just so exciting".

The key reason for backing the Centre, says Chris Power Commercial Manager of Bay of Plenty Energy, was because it was great asset for the region. "Cancer affects one in three people, and our region has one of the highest rates in New Zealand. This Centre will help relieve the pressure on existing services and benefit large numbers of sufferers and their families who can access treatment right here, hugely reducing the emotional strain, costs and pain of travel."

Chris adds, "For more than 30 years, Bay of Plenty Energy has been a key supporter of the region. This relationship fits well with our existing support into local schools, the hospice, sports and events that contribute to the overall wellbeing of the Eastern Bay of Plenty."

"We are proud to announce this new relationship with the Cancer Centre, which is the first major sponsorship arrangement under our new name. The change to Bay of Plenty Energy better reflects the range of services we provide. However, our commitment to the communities we operate in remains as strong as ever. The Bay of Plenty Energy Cancer Centre is the culmination of more than two and a half years of hard work by the fundraising team, so we believe it is a fitting way to embed our new name into the region."

Radiology treatment (or radiography), initial diagnosis and treatment will continue to be offered in the Regional Cancer Centre at Hamilton, due to the need to fully utilise the costly leading edge equipment and access specialist personnel.

Looking back to the beginning, Colin recalls "the task of raising $1.1 million was daunting and kept us awake at nights, but we had to believe we could make it happen." Colin adds, "We needed to make it happen because of our family history and the family history of so many other Eastern Bay of Plenty people who have been affected by cancer."

As a totally dedicated facility, the Bay of Plenty Energy Cancer Centre will improve cancer treatment services for the area and reduce the need for traveling for sufferers and their families. The Centre will house:

• Chemotherapy Treatment and Services
• Hematology Clinic
• A consultation clinic for local and visiting oncologists and specialist
• Information Centre, Library, Resource Centre, training and meeting rooms
• Liaison centre for Bay of Plenty Hospice and community nurses
• Cancer Society Information
• Cancer Services Network
• A warm and friendly reception area
• Counseling and Therapeutic Services

The naming rights sponsorship was sought after the Project Hope Fundraising Committee attained their original target of $1.1 million for the Centre. Colin explains the additional funding is necessary, as costs had risen in the two-and-a-half years that they had been in the fundraising and planning phases.

"There are also other considerations to retrofit the building to a standard required by the District Health Board especially in terms of furnishings, equipment and furniture. The durability of items must meet strict hygiene and safety standards so there are extra costs such as fireproof curtains."

Project Hope's Building Liaison member Doug Bull said progress on the Centre was excellent. "We've had such tremendous support from the wider community and now the builders and trades people have come in and said they'll help and are now in they're literally driving the nails."

"I have never ceased to be amazed by the generosity of people," enthused Doug. "This has really been a great community project and securing the long-term support of a locally-based company such as Bay of Plenty Energy clearly shows the wider benefit that comes from supporting local businesses that are in turn willing to invest in the future of the region and our community."

It is planned that the Bay of Plenty Energy Cancer Centre will be completed in November 2007. An official ceremony will then take place by the Project Hope Fundraising Committee to 'handover' the Centre to the District Health Board (DHB) who will manage it.