Australia’s most reputable cancer charity, the Leukaemia Foundation, has joined long-time partner Bridgestone to celebrate a decade of its purpose-built Bridgestone Australia Village in Adelaide.
Since opening in October 2013, the Leukaemia Foundation Bridgestone Australia Village has provided more than 35,156 nights of accommodation to more than 337 families from at least 28 regions throughout South Australia, the Northern Territory, Victoria and New South Wales.
As part of the decade milestone celebrations, the Leukaemia Foundation announced a new name for the Bridgestone Australia Village moving forward, with it to be known as the Leukaemia Foundation Bridgestone Blood Cancer Centre in the future.
The Bridgestone Blood Cancer Centre is a key part of the Leukaemia Foundation’s network of 11 accommodation centres throughout Australia located near major blood cancer treatment locations.
The centres allow people living with blood cancer and their loved ones to access free accommodation for the duration of their treatment, removing some of the financial burden of relocating to a specialist treatment centre.
According to Leukaemia Foundation CEO Chris Tanti the ten-year milestone and the positive impact of the Bridgestone Blood Cancer Centre reflects how the organisation is delivering on its purpose.
“Our goal at the Leukaemia Foundation is to see zero lives lost to blood cancer by 2035,” Mr Tanti said.
“A significant part of this is ensuring that people living with blood cancer have access to the best possible treatment, without the barrier of needing to find accommodation, services or support close to their treating team.”
Over the past 10 years, the Bridgestone Blood Cancer Centre has done just that. Through providing free-of-charge accommodation for patients and their loved ones, it has helped to ease the burden of blood cancer and give patients the best chance of surviving the disease.
“To have Bridgestone share our vision and due to their continued unwavering support, our ability to deliver services to the blood cancer community is significantly improved.
“We’re delighted to be able to celebrate this decade of the Bridgestone Blood Cancer Centre alongside our long-term friends and partners at Bridgestone.”
The Bridgestone Blood Cancer Centre has 15 purpose-built two and three-bedroom apartments located in the inner-northern suburbs of Adelaide and includes communal recreational facilities, and a variety of face-to-face support services offered by the Leukeamia Foundation.
The facility was designed specifically for the blood cancer community, taking into account factors such as a reduced immune function during treatment and the importance of creating a supportive and relaxing environment for families at such a difficult time.
Bridgestone has held naming rights of the accommodation centre since its opening as a key part of the longstanding partnership with the Leukaemia Foundation, now in its 37th year.
The partnership has continued to evolve throughout time but has been built on a foundation of benefitting the blood cancer community in line with Bridgestone’s mission and values.
According to Bridgestone Australia & New Zealand Managing Director, Heath Barclay, the role of the newly named Bridgestone Blood Cancer Centre is more important and relevant than ever.
“Bridgestone and our network of stores are incredibly proud of our association with the Leukaemia Foundation, with the Bridgestone Blood Cancer Centre in Adelaide being one of the cornerstones of our partnership,” Mr Barclay said.
“I remember the day this amazing facility opened, and to reflect on the significant impact it has made for people living with blood cancer is incredible.
“Bridgestone’s partnership with the Leukaemia Foundation is centred on providing ease of access to treatment, and empowering people living blood cancer – and this is a clear demonstration of how this partnership is delivering on this vision.”
The Leukaemia Foundation is a one of the core pillars of Bridgestone’s local community-led initiatives that are underpinned by the values of the Bridgestone E8 Commitment. This commitment creates purpose and process for Bridgestone towards a more sustainable future.
Working collaboratively, Bridgestone and the Leukaemia Foundation aim to drive positive outcomes for people living with blood cancer through shared values of ease, empowerment, awareness, and convenience.
As well as the provision of accommodation services, Bridgestone is a major benefactor of the Leukaemia Foundation’s patient transport model providing cab charge vouchers, fuel support, Uber vouchers and parking support for blood cancer patients to easily access lifesaving treatment.
The national network Bridgestone Select Tyre & Auto stores and Bridgestone Service Centres are significant contributors to the Leukaemia Foundation through the sales of Bridgestone Turanza Serenity Plus tyres, with $2 for every unit sold donated to the blood cancer charity.
To donate to the Leukaemia Foundation and help regional and rural families continue to have a home away from home and be closer to life saving blood cancer treatment, visit leukaemia.org.au.
Alternatively, if your business would like to support the vital work of the Leukaemia Foundation, please contact us on 1800 620 420 or [email protected].
