
Two of our Wonderful Supporters
The Cancer In Kids Auxiliary at The Royal Children’s Hospital (CIKA) has benefited from its many supporters since its inception in 1980. There are numerous stories of kindness and generosity within the CIKA community and this is one that we would like to share with you.
The members of the Macedon Ranges Focus Group (Focus) are our longest serving supporters and, since 1998, they have dedicated their annual fundraising to CIKA. In 2009 Focus member Gwen Kakafikas approached CIKA member Sandra Lehrer at the annual Focus Christmas lunch where Gwen presented to CIKA a very generous cheque. The CIKA members present were very surprised and we appreciated the generosity of Gwen and her husband Andy.
We are now many years down the road and each year at the Christmas Focus Lunch Gwen and Andy have presented CIKA with two generous cheques one from their business and a personal one. They have a keen interest in the research that CIKA funds and in 2018 were recognised by The RCH Foundation for their generosity to CIKA when they enjoyed an afternoon tea with Sue Hunt, former CEO of The Foundation.
In early 2024 Gwen and Andy again visited the RCH where they undertook a tour of the Children’s Cancer Centre Biobank with its coordinator, Dr Louise Ludlow, and were given demonstrations of some other equipment used there. The valuable contributions that have been made annually, personally and from their business, have contributed to the purchase of the cutting edge equipment used in the Biobank.
Out thanks again to Gwen and Andy for their long-time support of CIKA. Though their business was sold recently, they both continue to support CIKA personally.