By Sheree Hoddinett
Leukaemia Support Queensland (LSQ) is one step closer to making the lives of leukaemia patients and their families a little easier during difficult times, by securing a property that will serve as the beginnings of a wellness centre. This new centre is poised to become a sanctuary of support, resources and community, offering those affected by leukaemia a place to seek comfort and feel empowered throughout a difficult time in their lives as they undergo treatment at the nearby Caboolture Hospital.
Securing a property for the wellness centre represents a major milestone for LSQ and reflects the commitment and dedication of its members. But before anyone is able to stay there, the property located in King Street Caboolture, will need a lot of work done. Despite the hard yards still ahead of them, LSQ president Jane McMillan is overjoyed to see things are starting to progress.
“Our kind benefactors, who wish to remain anonymous, have donated a house to us for the beginnings of the wellness centre that we have been working towards for so long,” Jane said. “We have been given the house on a long-term agreement for the purpose of being able to house patients and their families who are going through leukaemia and need somewhere to stay together.”
The first working bee took place in mid-October with a dedicated team removing rubbish, old furniture and appliances left behind from previous tenants, plus cleaning up inside the property to prep the walls and ceilings ahead of new paint work.
“We still have a lot of work to do! We have been fortunate enough to have the staff from Planet Fitness Pumicestone come out to help, along with Charlie, Rosalina and Meg (from LSQ), who have removed the brunt of the rubbish that was left behind,” Jane said.
“We have been lucky to have an offer from Aspect Kitchens, Caboolture who have said they'll build us a new kitchen, which is greatly appreciated. Tradelink have given us a couple of brand new toilets and shower heads. Wattyl have donated some paint, which we are extremely grateful for and Bunnings Morayfield are going to see what they can do to help as well.”
Looking to the weeks ahead, the house will need new doors, windows, cementing work, plumbing and so much more.
“There is lots to be done and ideally, we hope to have the house ready as soon as possible, but it’s all dependant on what we can achieve,” Jane said. “As always, we would love to hear from anyone who may be able to help, whether it’s with manpower at the house or to assist by providing us with much needed materials. We cannot do this without help. This is just the beginning of our wellness centre and it won’t be the last.”
On Thursday December 5, Domino’s Morayfield will also be donating $1 from every pizza sold to support LSQ and the wellness centre.
“Their Dough Days are normally a couple of hours on a certain day, but for us on December 5 from 11am until midnight, they will give us a dollar from every pizza sold, so if everyone out there has pizza that day, we will be very appreciative of that,” Jane said. “We're also going to have a silly sock day and we just happen to sell silly socks, so we would love for everyone to get behind that as well.”
If you would like further information about LSQ or can offer any services or assistance towards the wellness centre, please contact Jane on 0422 584 080.
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