HCF Annual Report 2009

Corporate Social Responsibility

Commitment to Community

$6 million in grants

Over $22,000 raised for our charities

$50,000 for bush fire victim relief

The HCF Health and Medical Research Foundation
The HCF Health and Medical Research Foundation, established in 2000, was formed to encourage medical research projects and examine the provision, administration and delivery of health benefits in Australia.

HCF funds the corpus of the Foundation by donation from the net operating profit of the health fund. In 2008/09, we contributed $1 million, equivalent to 9.6% of the Fund’s net profit (before donation).

In 2008/09, the Foundation committed funding for a number of major research projects, including a $1 million grant for the ’Healthbook’ initiative, a web service which combines the collaborative power of social networking sites such as Facebook with accurate information to provide an online portal for clinicians and consumers.

Other projects supported include the ICARUSS pilot – which looks to prevent recurrent strokes through the effective management of vascular risk factors – and an innovative computer-controlled interactive phone system designed to improve management of Type 2 diabetes.

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) also recently announced the awarding of a 2009 NICS Fellowship to HCF Health and Medical Research Foundation Fellow, Paula Wye, to research the reduction in smoking in people with a mental health illness. We will also look to increase awareness of the need to provide smoking cessation assistance and develop processes to support staff to implement such programs.

With contributions to date of $11 million and research grants awarded totalling more than $6 million, the Foundation is making a difference.

Manchester Unity ‘Hearts of Gold’
Manchester Unity’s sole charity of choice for a 5 year period is with HeartKids Australia, which supports the needs of Childhood Heart Disease (CHD). The decision to support HeartKids was also embraced by the Manchester Unity Staff, Aged Care facilities and the Oddfellow Lodges. The Manchester Unity family has provided over $25,000 to help HeartKids support families in need.

Community Events and Charities
This year HCF raised over $22,000 for charities which rely almost entirely on the generosity of Australians to continue their good work. Organisations we support include Jeans for Genes, Daffodil Day, Bandaged Bear Day, Motor Neurone Disease and World Retina Day. Merchandise sold through our network of branches raises money for community organisations. Sales of sunscreen on behalf of the Cancer Council totalled just under $11,000 this year.

Charity Supporting
Our support includes:

Research into genetic diseases;
Cancer research, education and patient support;
The Children’s Hospital, Westmead Research;
Those living with motor neurone disease; and
Studies into retinal degenerative diseases.

Victorian Bushfire Appeal
HCF and Manchester Unity staff donated over $22,000 and with HCF’s contribution, $50,000 was raised for the Australian Red Cross Victoria bush fire victim relief.