Australian Chinese Medical Association SA (ACMASA) donates to Advertiser Foundation Blanket Appeal 2024

A special group of South Australian medicos is showing how compassion and good bedside manners can extend well beyond hospital wards and medical clinics.

A generous $10,000 donation from the Australian Chinese Medical Association Foundation has bolstered this year's Blanket Appeal. Picture: Dean Martin

A special group of South Australian medicos is showing how compassion and good bedside manners can extend well beyond hospital wards and medical clinics.

During the week the Australian Chinese Medical Association SA (ACMASA), which includes GPs, specialists and medical students, donated $10,000 to this year’s The Advertiser Foundation Blanket Appeal.

The annual appeal, first launched in 1959, raises funds to help the homeless and those at risk of homelessness during winter.

ACMASA chairman Francis Ghan said many of his colleagues were concerned about rising rates of homelessness and also the stories of financial struggle being shared by patients.

“We are seeing so many homeless people in the street and this is very, very sad to see in a first-world country,” Dr Ghan said.

“Being doctors, we see our patients struggling daily with the cost of living, including those on the verge of losing their homes – we see that all the time and really feel for them.

“(Our members) all agree we have to help as much as we can.”

For the past 25 years the association has held an annual gala dinner to raise funds to allow it to support causes which align to its values of caring for vulnerable people, he said.

“It does give us great joy to be able to give something back and see the immense pleasure and joy (that support) can bring to those involved in wonderful not-for-profits such as Hutt St Centre and Catherine House,” Dr Ghan said.

The Hutt St Centre is one of a number of organisations supported by The Advertiser Foundation Blanket Appeal 2024. All donations over $2 tax deductible and can be made here.