Bloomhill aims to bounce back from Covid sales drop

Nambour Bloomhill Op Shop Volunteer Michael Mills and his wife and store manager Lyn look forward to welcoming customers during the Appeal.

Bloomhill Cancer Care this month launched its Be There for Bloomhill Appeal, seeking community support to bounce back from big drop in op shop income due to the COVID pandemic.  

Bloomhill is the biggest community-based cancer support organisation on the Coast. 

Each year it supports around 1100 clients through its nursing care and provides over 800 allied health care and wellness appointments at the centre in Buderim. 

“If there is one year to support Bloomhill it’s this year,” Chief Executive Officer Christopher John said. 

“We are preparing to redevelop our wellness centre from five to 14 therapy rooms so we can help more people, but the post-COVID building crisis is creating significant challenges. 

“The op shops which supply about 75 percent of the charity’s income (in a normal, non-COVID year) have this year had sales dip so low Bloomhill was until recently eating into its savings to keep afloat.  

Bloomhill is turning 25 years old this year and planning an expansion from five to 14 therapy rooms, including a new gym and redeveloping its café, to meet the growing demand for our care services. 

When people donate, they are helping to support new clients touched by cancer who seek support at the centre every week. It costs an average $1454 for Bloomhill to provide nursing care support per client for one year.  That’s roughly $125 each month.  

In the first 6-12 months after a cancer diagnosis most clients need to undergo extensive cancer treatments. 

Some will need to have surgery, most will have some form of chemotherapy and many require follow-up radiotherapy, medication and rehabilitation activities. Our nurses are highly trained in oncology and are central in developing the right individualised care plans for our clients. 

Many of our clients are facing financial hardship and often need immediate support in many different practical ways. 

When you donate you are helping us provide practical support to clients, carers and children facing extreme financial hardship.  

Your donation is gratefully received and makes a huge difference to the support Bloomhill provides those touched by cancer. All donations over $2AUD are fully tax-deductible in Australia. To donate visit www.bloomhill.com.au