CANBERRA HOSPITAL RECEIVES DONATION FROM LOCAL FAMILY

"The Canberra Hospital received a donation of five bar fridges for use in the oncology ward from a local family," the Health Minister, Katy Gallagher, said today.

The Samuels family donated five bar fridges in memory of their mother Hazel Samuels, who was a patient in ward 14B, at the hospital.

"This is a very kind gift from a family who has recently lost their mother," Ms Gallagher said.

"This donation means that each patient and their family will have access to their own fridge during their stay in the ward," she said.

In May 2010 Ms Samuels was diagnosed with lung cancer and was admitted to ward 14B at the Canberra Hospital.

"During this time when the family visited their mother, they took food and drinks with them, which made it easier for them and allowed the family more time to spend with their mother," Ms Gallagher said.

"The family members noticed that as Hazel moved to different rooms, that some had fridges, whilst other rooms didn't and they decided that they would donate some fridges as a ‘thank you' gift, to be put into the rooms that did not have a fridge," the Minister said.

"On behalf of all the staff, I would like to thank the Samuels family for their wonderful generosity, particularly at such a difficult time for the family," the Minister concluded.

Media Contact:

Warren Tegg 6205 0384 0435 961 012 warren.tegg@act.gov.au