Bowlers learn how hospital donations have been used

Bowlers from Umina Beach, Everglades and Ettalong Men's Bowling Clubs have visited Gosford Hospital to learn how their donations have been used.

The Peninsula Bowls Days organised by the three clubs last year raised $15,000 to purchase equipment to treat patients with prostate and urological cancers.

The money was used to buy a resectoscope for Gosford Hospital and a catheter deflecting mechanism and cystoscope-urethroscope and optical grasping forceps for Wyong Hospital.

Members of the bowling clubs visited Gosford Hospital to learn how these pieces of equipment would be used.

"A resectoscope is used to remove cancerous tissue and to detect pre-cancers in urology patients," clinical nurse specialist Mr Tim Wharton told the visitors.

"A catheter deflecting mechanism and cystoscope-urethroscope are used to carry out procedures to treat and investigate bladder and prostate cancers and other bladder conditions such as blockages.

"The optical grasping forceps are used to remove stents in the kidney or ureter," Mr Wharton said.

"This equipment will be of great benefit to our patients and we are very grateful to the bowlers for raising the money to purchase it."

Event organiser Mr Ian Jarratt from Umina Beach Men's Bowling Club said the Peninsula Bowls Days were in memory of the late Ron Pursehouse, a former member who had prostate cancer.

"It has always been a cause very close to our hearts as we do it in honour of Ron every year and to help other cancer patients," Mr Jarratt said.

Since the three clubs combined to run the annual charity days, more than $70,000 has been raised. SOURCE: Media release, 29 May 2018 Sharna Ryan, Central Coast Local Health District