47 teams made up of 423 walkers from the Viridian community participated in the second annual Walk4Rita step challenge throughout July and in the process, raised $40,040 for the Jreissati Family Pancreatic Centre at Epworth.
For a cause so close to our hearts at Viridian, these efforts all culminated with a National Walk on the last Sunday of July. More than 1000 people united at nine sites across Australia to show their support for the work done by all those involved at Pancreatic Centre at Epworth.
“It’s all about getting out, getting moving and getting connected during the middle of winter, while supporting those who need it most” says Chairman of the Viridian Foundation, Michael Ehrentraut.
Funds raised, enable the centre to support pancreatic cancer patients and their families by providing access to specialist counselling services as well as extend the distribution of pancreas models to GPs across Victoria. While models may be a seemingly simple approach to tackling complex disease in an age of technology, Donor Relations Manager at the Epworth Marina Johnson speaks to their importance as “a vital tool for early detection and diagnosis for pancreatic cancer patients”. Early detection is just so important to raising survival rates.
Viridian is humbled to be able to continue to support the work of the centre, and to know that we are having an impact in moments that matter. “Whatever peoples’ journey has been through this dreadful disease, directly or indirectly, we want people to know that you’re not alone.” – Chairman of the Viridian Foundation, Michael Ehrentraut.