At Northland Community Foundation, we are proud to celebrate and acknowledge the incredible mahi of the temporary volunteer shuttle drivers who have supported patients at the Jim Carney Cancer Treatment Centre over the past four months.
In February, the Centre was temporarily relocated to an inpatient ward within Whangārei Hospital to allow for major construction connecting the new Radiation Oncology Building, part of a $60.9 million investment in cancer care infrastructure.
The new facility, set to open in 2026, will feature:
One of the big challenges during this transition was the walking distance between the car park and the temporary treatment ward which was a considerable barrier for patients undergoing cancer treatment. In response, Cancer & Blood Services put out a call for volunteer shuttle drivers, and our community responded in force.
Thanks to these generous volunteers, patients were transported safely and comfortably each day, regardless of the weather, with the volunteer drivers becoming a reassuring part of each patient’s treatment journey. Many patients expressed their deep gratitude towards the volunteers throughout their treatment.
To acknowledge this outstanding service, a special morning tea was held, supported by Health Fund PLUS — a partnership between Northland Community Foundation and Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Te Tai Tokerau, which manages community donations and raises funds for projects beyond government funding.
Our ambassador, Jane Scripps, spoke at the event and shared heartfelt thanks on behalf of our Foundation: “We know that volunteering makes a difference. Volunteers are what keep us going, and everyone here today is a shining example of that, something we are most grateful for.”
The impact of this initiative is ongoing with four volunteers offering to continue supporting the Centre, and two are returning to help with the move back into the Jim Carney Cancer Treatment Centre.
We are incredibly proud to support this initiative through Health Fund PLUS and to stand alongside our dedicated volunteers, healthcare workers, and generous donors.
Learn more about Health Fund PLUS or how you can support the Jim Carney Cancer Treatment Centre.
