Garth Tander Hands Over 17 Holden Commodores to Leukaemia Foundation

SYDNEY – Aug 3, 2012: Holden V8 Supercar driver and Leukaemia Foundation Ambassador Garth Tander made a special appearance at the Coates Hire Ipswich 300 today in a striking liveried black and blue Holden Commodore to mark the donation of a fleet of 17 VE Commodores to the Leukaemia Foundation's Patient Transport Program.

Also at the race track was four year old Maggie and her mum, dad and little sister. Maggie, from Ipswich, was diagnosed with leukaemia when she was only six hours old and began chemotherapy at two weeks of age. Maggie is now in full remission and started kindergarten earlier this year.

Leukaemia Foundation of Australia CEO, Peter Cox says this Holden fleet of 17 VE Commodores will assist the Foundation in providing a vital service for leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma patients like Maggie all around Australia.

"We are very grateful to Holden for their ongoing support and commitment since 2002," said Mr Cox.

“In the past seven years, the service has transported over 6,300 blood cancer patients to and from treatment and the Holden sponsored cars have travelled over 2.8 million kilometres – equal to sixty-nine laps around the globe.

Leukaemia Foundation Queensland President, Beverley Mirolo OAM said, “Transport to and from treatment is an area of vital need for our patients and one of our most important services.

Low immunity from treatment often means patients need a specialised transport service. We need these new Commodores to help more patients arrive at treatment safely.”

Holden Community Relations Manager Maya Donevska said Holden was delighted to be assisting the Leukaemia Foundation to increase their service flexibility and patient reach.

"The Leukaemia Foundation provides an enormously valuable service to people with blood cancer and we aim to assist in as many ways as possible.

“To be able to donate 17 VE Commodores today is an important milestone in our ten year relationship with the Foundation.

“As Holden’s Leukaemia Foundation Ambassador and Patient Transport Program volunteer driver, Garth is looking forward to driving patients in the new Commodores, just as soon as he finishes racing this weekend," Ms Donevska said.

The Leukaemia Foundation is the only national not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the care and cure of patients and families living with leukaemias, lymphomas, myeloma and related blood disorders. Each year, the Foundation supports thousands of Australians by providing free services to patients and their families, and invests millions of dollars in cutting edge research to develop better treatments and cures.