ANTI-CANCER campaigner Josie Minniti has raised more than $400,000 for the cause and has never given up – until now.
The Epping resident’s latest project for Northern Hospital’s bowel cancer patients is personal, after her husband’s diagnosis with the disease last year.
But her annual fund-raising dinner dance may have to be cancelled because of a lack of bookings for the July 7 event.
Mrs Minniti, a chronic asthmatic who is battling her own health problems, is devastated.
“This is my passion. Cancer is such a cruel disease,” she said.
Last year she raised enough money for 16 air mattresses costing $4500 each for Northern Hospital cancer patients.
Her husband, Rino, used one of the beds after his operation for bowel cancer and Mrs Minniti wanted to buy more this year.
“We want people to be comfortable during their treatment,” she said.
Mrs Minitti began raising money for the Northern and Austin hospitals more than a decade ago after losing 12 family members to the disease. The money raised is specifically for equipment, such as the Northern Hospital’s $50,000 ultrasound machine to detect cancer.
“I have to thank the people who have supported me over the past 12 years; without them we would have achieved nothing,” she said.
“But I have a venue that holds 400 and only 50 bookings and may be forced to cancel.”
The five-course dinner and dance at Greenville Receptions in Green Street, Thomastown is scheduled for Saturday,
July 7 from 6.30pm and costs $50. For bookings: call 9401 4199.
