5 minute read
All together for Josh
All together for Josh
DHAA’s Josh Galpin has recently been diagnosed with inoperable Metastatic Melanoma. Raising funds for hugely expensive treatment saw an incredible display of support
by Alison Taylor & Chloe Webb
EARLIER THIS YEAR the DHAA IT representative, Josh Galpin, was diagnosed with Stage IV non-resectable (inoperable) Metastatic Melanoma. Josh had PET scans and tests, and was informed the initial lesion had spread to several organs including innumerable lesions on the liver, in the stomach and small intestine. This was, understandably, a complete shock for Josh and his family.
Josh is a life member of the DHAA, a lecturer at TAFE SA, and was the first male to graduate from the Bachelor of Oral Health at the University of Adelaide in 2004. On Saturday, 31 August, 2019 dental hygienists, therapists, oral health therapists, dentists, plus family and friends from all around Australia gathered at TAFE SA for a fundraising event called ‘All Together for Josh’.
Josh has been a dedicated volunteer for DHAA for over 10 years, giving his time and energy tirelessly, working on several sub-committees and projects, and initiating many developments, particularly related to IT and website planning and design. Josh has also played a pivotal role in influencing and educating his dental hygiene students, and has always loved watching his students grow into industry-ready professionals.
After his diagnosis Josh’s oncology team offered a few treatment options, with the most ideal option – immunotherapy infusions – costing an unimaginable sum. Josh has commenced these treatments and is charged a vast amount per session.
On hearing the news of his diagnosis and treatment costs the organising team were spurred on to take action. We wanted to support Josh and his precious family – his wife Corrinna (also an OHT), and children Reilly, Misha and Oliver – as they face some of life’s biggest challenges. So, with Josh and Corrinna’s blessing, a GoFundMe page was initiated and a core team of four (Kyla Burman, Alison Taylor, James Bosworth and Chloe Webb (OHT and Josh’s sister) collaborated ideas on how, as a dental community and his friends, we could support Josh at such a time. This is when the ‘All Together for Josh’ fundraising event was created.
Josh’s request was that we raise awareness, educate, expand knowledge and inform the dental community about melanoma, with particular emphasis on immunotherapy and how it relates to dental treatment, for it to be based on the latest supporting scientific evidence and of course to have some fun! So that’s what we did. Twelve guest speakers, a live webinar reaching individuals from each state and territory of Australia, food, drinks, raffles, silent auction, trade displays, instrumentation workshops and a community of incredible attendees. We must highlight that all speakers, helpers and contributors donated their time and gifts, not one received any form of payment other than the knowledge that Josh was being supported by their actions. Such is the generosity of our community!
The event from start to finish would not have been possible without countless kind acts of service:
• TAFE SA for providing the facilities;
• Wildflowers by the Sea for contributing to our silent auction and for creating the exquisite flower bouquets as speaker gifts;
• Travellers Rest Wines for providing their spectacular wine as gifts for the speakers;
• The Galpin family and All Together for Josh organising team
• Collaboration with ADOHTA and University of Adelaide for their provision of beverages, a huge raffle and ongoing support through the day.
We want to recognise and thank the individuals and companies who supported All Together for Josh with their presence, help, sponsorship and contributions to the silent auctions and raffles. Truthfully too many generous contributors to list here!
A special thank you to DHAA for their generous support throughout the development of the event and on the day. The work Josh has done for DHAA is valued so highly, that right from the moment of inception, DHAA offered the organising team their full support for the event. They managed most of the IT through the planning stages and on the day, event promotion, delegate registration, attendance certificates and audiovisual, including setting up and moderating our live webinar. The DHAA local team organised the delicious food and silent auction platform. We sincerely thank those who were present and focused on their tasks for the whole of the event without a break. What an awesome contribution from our association.
All ticket sales, auction proceeds andsales went directly to Josh’s GoFundMe page and we reached the target goal of the day, which was to boost the GoFundMe to over $100k!
The day itself was topped off with Josh attending with Corrinna by his side. We know this event has left a lasting impression on Josh and overwhelming gratitude for our dental community. Josh received our message loud and clear that we want him to feel encouraged, empowered, motivated, blessed and loved knowing he has his family, friends and dental community’s full support.
We were amazed by the warmth, kindness and massive heart our dental and allied health community has shown. It’s amazing what we can achieve when we all come together.
Once again, thank you to everyone who attended or donated to Josh’s GoFundMe www.gofundme.com/f/giftjosh-some-time
On behalf of Josh and his family – thank you.
