ITT Beneficiaries
Oncology Treatment Centre (OTC) at the Children’s Hospital, Westmead:
Each year in Australia around 800 children and adolescents are diagnosed with cancer.
The Cancer Centre for Children at The Children’s Hospital, Westmead treat 150-200 new patients each year. Cancer is the second leading cause of death in children aged 1 to 14 years (after accidents). The survival rate for childhood cancer has improved dramatically over the past 30 years but the improvement is not over all cancer types – the survival rate for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is now around 90% whilst brain cancer and high-risk neuroblastoma remains at about 50%.
The journey for many children and their families is difficult and distressing with unpleasant side effects and significant disruption to family life. Treatment options can include surgery, radiation therapy, intensive chemotherapy protocols, stem cell transplantation and all other aspects of supportive care.
For over 20 years OTC has been grateful for the support of ITT, who have provided fantastic murals, great distraction resources, toys and games, comfortable furniture and medical equipment including vital sign monitors, infusion pumps and treatment chairs. In 2016 ITT supported the development of a Child Life Assistant position to co-ordinate and plan activities for the kids attending the Oncology Clinic. It involves a coordinator with a kind disposition and special skills who can provide unique play sessions / story-telling / entertainment / craft activities / ‘theme’ days and lots more. This has proved to be a valuable asset to the clinic. It continues today, fully funded by ITT.
Josephine Community Aid:
JCA principally relied on the support of young people working on a voluntary basis, helping the poor and underprivileged, providing support and friendship to refugees and to people with mental health issues. Sadly, JCA closed in 2016 after 30 years of wonderful service to the community; all funds raised by ITT since then have been donated solely to the Oncology Treatment Centre.