Burn Centre receives a Lions Share of Support

Lions Clubs New Zealand

Media Release
21 April 2005

National Burn Centre receives a Lions Share of Support

Lions Clubs across New Zealand have collectively reached their $300,000 fundraising target for a high-dependency unit in the new National Burn Centre, to be built on-site at Middlemore Hospital.

This achievement coincides with the Lions 50th anniversary celebrations at their national convention in Auckland this weekend, where the cheque will be presented to the South Auckland Health Foundation.

The Foundation aims to raise $1.5 million for the new National Burn Centre facility and say the $300,000 from Lions will significantly help to build the high dependency unit - an isolation area to protect patients with major burns who are very susceptible to infection.

“With Lions support we are one step closer to reaching our fundraising goal for the Centre, which will treat both adults and children from across the country. This is a fantastic achievement and we are delighted with their contribution,” says Pam Tregonning, executive director, South Auckland Health Foundation.

Mike Smith, Lions District Governor for the Waikato region says it is an excellent example of a national collective effort bringing about real results for a good cause.

“It’s wonderful that Lions can present such a superb gift on their own birthday! All ten Lions districts across New Zealand have supported the project to varying degrees. Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty adopted it as their district project but several clubs within other districts also got behind it.

They have raised the funds through a combination of fundraising methods including a scrap metal drive, tupperware evenings, field days, auctions, market days, golf tournaments, gala evenings and a substantial amount through a raffle for a boat,” says Smith.

Work on the high dependency unit is due to begin later this year as part of the entire National Burn Centre development. The facility is expected to be in action in early 2006.

Pam Tregonning will accept the cheque on behalf of the South Auckland Health Foundation at the Lions 50th Anniversary convention on Saturday 23 April at around 2.00pm.

ENDS

Released on behalf of Lions Clubs New Zealand by Network PR (Victoria Rainbow – ph 04 382 6616 or 021 2468100) for more information contact Mike Smith, Lions District Governor for the Waikato, phone 0274297803. Jo Mackie, South Auckland Health Foundation, phone 09 270 8808, 021901705, jo.mackie1@middlemore.co.nz
About Lions Clubs in New Zealand

The first New Zealand Lions Club was formed in 1955 in Auckland. Now there are around 500 Clubs, and 12,700 members. Worldwide the International Association of Lions Clubs has a membership of over 1.3 million in 192 countries and geographical areas.

The emphasis is on community service in all forms. Lions’ programmes serve the young and the aged, the disabled and the disadvantaged - anybody who has a need. Programmes are conducted locally, nationally and internationally. They include sight conservation and work with the blind, citizenship services, hearing and speech action, programmes with the deaf, drug education, environment, recreational, health and social services.

Lions' contributions to the development and care of New Zealand youth include living skills programmes, drug awareness, an international youth exchange programme, the national Young Speechmaker Contest and International Peace Poster Competition.

NATIONAL BURN CENTRE
For the people of New Zealand

BACKGROUNDER

National Burn Centre
The National Burn Centre will provide New Zealand with a dedicated facility for burn treatment.
It will offer treatment and rehabilitation for the very worst burn patients from across the country, both adults and children.

The necessity
A major burn is one of the greatest stresses that can be placed on the human body. What takes just seconds to burn may lead to hours of reconstructive surgery, years of rehabilitation and a lifetime of scarring.
New Zealand lags behind international standards for burn facilities. The treatment given by specialist burn surgeons is compromised because our facilities are not designed specifically for burn patients.
Patients are usually treated in a plastic surgery ward, which falls short of what is needed for the optimum burn care. For example, there are no isolation rooms, which are important for preventing infections.

Location
The National Burn Centre will be built onsite at Middlemore Hospital in Auckland. This decision was made by the Ministry of Health in 2002.
The centre will be part of a larger burn care network with existing regional burn treatment facilities in Christchurch, Hutt Valley and Waikato sending their most critical patients to the National Burn Centre.
All patients from outside Auckland will return to their regional burn facility where some will have ongoing treatment and rehabilitation.

Patient numbers
The National Burn Centre is for New Zealand’s very worst burn patients. It is expected that each year approximately 30 adults and 6 children will be treated in the centre.
Some of these patients will stay for several months – assume at least one day in hospital per percentage of the body that is burnt.

Statistics
I% of people in New Zealand are burnt each year. Of those 50% will suffer some daily living activity restriction, 10% will require hospitalisation and 10% of those hospitalised will have life threatening burns.
Each year in New Zealand about 35 - 40 people suffer major burns to more than 30 percent of their body.

SOUTH AUCKLAND HEALTH FOUNDATION

The South Auckland Health Foundation is a registered charitable trust that supports and raises funds for the health services of Counties Manukau District Health Board.

Fundraising campaign
The Foundation is proud to raise funds to support the National Burn Centre and has a target of $1.5 million. It has raised in excess of $1 million and hopes to complete its fundraising by mid 2005.

Why should people support this cause?
Because a burn could happen at any time to any one of us.
One in every hundred New Zealanders is burnt every year – the most severe will come to the National Burn Centre. It could be you or someone you know that needs lifesaving treatment.

How to donate
Phone 0900 4 BURN (0900 4 2876) to make an automatic $20 donation.
Online at www.burn.org.nz
Post a cheque to the South Auckland Health Foundation, PO Box 93320, Otahuhu, Auckland. (Cheques payable to South Auckland Health Foundation.)

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