$2 Million Mark Reached in Chair in Neurosurgery Campaign

April 13 2012

$2 MILLION MARK REACHED IN NEUROLOGICAL FOUNDATION CHAIR IN NEUROSURGERY CAMPAIGN

The campaign to fund the country’s first Chair in Neurosurgery, to be based in Dunedin, has raised more than $2 million since the campaign was launched 10 weeks ago. This milestone sees the project two thirds of the way towards the targeted $3 million to fund the position in perpetuity.

The Neurological Foundation is thrilled by the incredible support shown by the Otago and Southland communities, which, in the last few weeks alone, have seen more than $130,000 in donations. Significant recent donations include the Alexander McMillan Trust ($75,000), Lodge St Patrick No. 468 Irish Constitution ($20,000), the RSA Welfare Trust ($10,000), more than $10,000 from the IOOFSociety and over $15,000 from a number of Rotary Clubs around the South.

Donations have also been made to fund the professorial chair – who will spend 50% of his/her time on clinical work at Dunedin Hospital and 50% in research and teaching at the University of Otago – by local Lions Clubs and the Otago Polytechnic, alongside generous individual and business contributions.

“We’re delighted to have reached the two-thirds target relatively quickly – and well ahead of schedule,” says Campaign Committee Chairman Brian McMahon.

“It’s a measure of the confidence of the people of Otago and Southland and their wish to have excellent neurosurgical services available to them. We’re confident we’ll reach the $3 million mark – particularly with more projects, such as Dunedin’s Mitre 10 Mega Brain House and Southland initiatives, still to come.”

The three-bedroom Brain House – built by Certified Builders – will be auctioned by Harcourts in Dunedin’s Mitre 10 Mega carpark on April 21st at 12.30pm. A public event to raise awareness in Southland, featuring a talk by Clinical Director Martin Macfarlane, will also be held in Invercargill in May.

Otago University Pro Vice-Chancellor, Health Sciences, Peter Crampton says he is delighted by the milestone – particularly as the Chair in Neurosurgery is a crucial part of future-proofing the service not only for Otago and Southland, but the whole of the South Island. Shortlisted applicants for the professorial role will be interviewed in May.

“$2 million is a very significant milestone for the campaign. The people of Otago and Southland can take full credit for this fantastic achievement, especially as the $2 million mark has beenreached in such a short period of time.”

Public donations can be made online at www.chairofneurosurgery.org.nz, at any National Bank or ANZ branch, or by mail to Freepost 2064, Neurosurgery Campaign, PO Box 914, Dunedin 9054.

ENDS

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