 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Community Health and Safety
Alcoa contributes to healthy communities worldwide by broadening access to healthcare and social services, improving service quality and efficiency, preventing injuries and promoting wellness at every stage of life. Children and families need knowledge, tools and services to remain healthy and safe at home, in the community and in the workplace.
Our bright ideas supporting local health
The Point Henry Employee Suggestion Scheme has nominated the Andrew Love Cancer Centre as their chosen charity. As part of the scheme, employees can choose to donate their cash reward to the Andrew Love Cancer Centre.
In February 2010, Alcoa Point Henry played a small but significant part at the launch of the 2010 Geelong Hospital Appeal. As part of the launch, Point Henry Alcoa Business Systems (ABS) manager Talis Steele handed over a cheque of $12,000 from the 2009 Point Henry Employee Suggestion Scheme.
Suggestions implemented focused on safety, environmental and cost improvement, in what is a great example of people wanting to improve their own workplace.
The donation was used by the hospital to purchase a treatment chair for radiotherapy patients, a megavoltage probe, a beta particles probe and a survey meter. All of these items are required to help with the safe delivery of radiotherapy not only for patients but also for their visitors and the surrounding general public.
During his presentation, Talis said Alcoa was proud to be contributing to such a worthy cause.
“We are very pleased our employees have been able to play a role in this appeal and to support the Andrew Love Cancer Centre, which is a crucial service within the Geelong community and one which some of our employees and their families have needed from time to time.”
Louie’s story
One of the main stars of the 2010 launch was 10-year-old Louie Hehir, the ‘face’ of this year’s appeal.
Louie was born with chronic renal failure and in 2005, had a kidney transplant from a living donor, his maternal grandmother. The operation was successful and his new kidney started working immediately. Because of ‘Granny’, Louie was lucky to avoid dialysis and he and Granny were both out of hospital within a week.
When asked how he felt on being the face of the 2010 appeal, Louie replied: “When I found out I was the face of the appeal, I was really pleased I could help the hospital and maybe make some new friends cos I was really happy with the way I was treated.”
A keen guitar fan, Louie cites his hero as Guy Sebastian. Since the transplant, Louie has also competed in the National Transplant Games in table tennis.
“Like most kids with an ongoing medical condition, it sometimes gets tough and Louie gets angry and frustrated. The great thing about Louie is that he is able to express how he feels which helps,” his mother Veronica said.
“All of the staff at the Geelong Hospital are a fantastic support to our family. Louie is treated with care and respect by everyone and the staff make it a fun day.
“We think the 2010 appeal to raise funds for the redevelopment of the children’s ward will help to provide facilities that match the professionalism and care provided by the staff,” she said.
For more information on Geelong Hospital Appeal and to read more stories like Louie’s visit  www.barwonhealth.org.au/geelonghospitalappeal
KIDS Foundation
The KIDS Foundation and Alcoa of Australia share a common goal in injury prevention and both hold safety as a core value.
The KIDS Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to childhood injury prevention and recovery including delivering quality safety education programs and services in schools.
The partnership between KIDS Foundation, Alcoa Foundation and Alcoa in Australia began in 2005 and supports KIDS Foundation’s nationally recognised KIDS Safety Club school safety program, Safety 4 KIDS on-site program, Injury Free Day, Camp Phoenix and Charity Challenge.
The partnership has helped shape the success of both Alcoa’s internal safety drive and KIDS Foundation’s community safety outreach programs in schools across Australia, and its vital work helping burns and injury survivors.
In May 2010, the KIDS Foundation and Alcoa of Australia partnership was awarded the $10,000 first prize at the inaugural Rotary Club Community Service Awards. The partnership was also awarded the 'Community Group - Youth Services' Award for their work in injury prevention. Read more here.
|
|
|
|
|
