CANCER CAMPAIGN

Hokitika Guardian, 20 November 1929, Page 1

CANCER CAMPAIGN

FUNDS AND RADIUM NEEDED

By Telegraph—Per Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, Nov. 19

The Central Committee of the New Zealand Branch of the British Empire Cancer Campaign met yesterday. Dr Elliott, who presided, reported that Dr Begg, of the Stroud Laboratory 7, who had been appointed to take charge of the work in New Zealand, was taking a three months intensive course in radio therapy on the Continent. The Committee had sent him £2OO for travelling expenses in Europe, and- £IOO to purchase special equipment which could not bo obtained in Now Zealand. The Otago Division now had a fund of £25,000, of which £15,000 was set aside as an endowment.

The interest on this would be used for cancer research., while the other £IO,OOO would he used to establish a cancer clinic in New Zealand. The campaign, had no radium as yet. All the radium now in the Dominion was held by the hospital boards as custodians. The Otago Division was formed, and was going to be a great success. They wero on the point of starting a strong Canterbury Division. The first meeting of the recently formed Wellington Division will he held boforc Christmas. Dr Elliott went on to say that tlie Committee had met representatives from Auckland. It appeared that Auckland wished for complete autonomy.

Mr Shirtelilfc and others expressed the fear that unless there was a pooling of the resources they wore going to get nowhere. It was decided to adjourn until the other members of tlie Committee could be present to discuss tlie matter, and that tlie Auckland representatives be specially invited to attend.

£SOOO IN RADIUM

GIFT TO AUCKLAND .HOSPITAL

AUCKLAND, Nov. 19

An offer by the Cook Hospital Board to hand to the Auckland Hospital Board the donation of five thousand pounds to it. from Mr John Clark, for the purchase of radium, carrying with it a Government subsidy of £2500, has been accepted with thanks bv the Auckland Board. The conditions are that if. in future, a Radium Department is warranted at Gisborne, the amount shall be refunded; and that free radium treatment shall be given to patients from the Cook district to the value ol £3OO a year. The Chairman, Mr AY. Wallace, said ihat the donation would be of great assistance to the Board in the fight against cancer. The Medical Superintendent. Dr Maguire, would visit. Gisborne to discuss the matter further with the Cook Board. With the donation, and the accompanying subsidy, it is proposed to augment the present supply of radium by 415 milligrammes, bringing the total amount to 730 milligrammes. Ihe approximate cost will be £'>7l9 15s. It is also proposed to convert 190 milligrammes of the present hospital supply into smaller needles, to conform with modern developments, at a cost of £5Ol. The two propositions will absorb £O2BO 15s. The Auckland Board now intends to carry out a further campaign fur funds in order to purchase an additional 2<o milligrammes of radium, and bring the total supply at the hospital up to one gramme,