Ball fundraiser for research

By Rebecca Fraser
THE tragic death of a young kidney transplant recipient has had a lasting impression on a Narre Warren South woman.
Magdalene McCallum was 16 years old when she underwent a life saving kidney transplant, after her mother, Rosemary, gave her one of her organs.
The operation followed a long and painful journey as Magdalene, or Maggie as she was affectionately known, had battled a rare auto-immune disease since childhood.
Doctors from the Royal Children’s Hospital branded the operation a huge success, but in a tragic twist of fate, Maggie died just two years later in a car accident.
Narre Warren South resident Nicole Rasmussen has been a close friend of the McCallum family, who live in Wandin, for the past five years.
Ms Rasmussen described the attractive teenager as a vivacious, determined, caring young woman who was unwilling to let any injustice go by.
She said Rosemary and the McCallum family had since set up the Magdalene Foundation in Maggie’s honour.
The foundation is a non-profit, volunteer run organisation dedicated to raising funds for research into kidney disease.
Ms Rasmussen urged local businesses to support the foundation and its upcoming inaugural ball, by donating items for the silent and live auction.
She said Maggie’s death had made her want to create an awareness of the need for more children’s kidney research in the south east.
Before her death Maggie was set to travel to Italy for a fashion magazine shoot, which would have helped her launch her modeling career and realise her dream of funding research.
Ms Rasmussen said Maggie had been a beautiful person and thinking about her tragic death still sent shivers up her spine.
“She wanted to help children that suffered just like she did all her life. Now through the foundation, Rosemary wants to continue doing this,” Ms Rasmussen said.
Later this month, an inaugural Magical Masquerade Ball will be held to raise funds for the foundation.
The foundation hopes to raise $50, 000 from the ball and associated donations, so they can help cover the costs of employing a full time laboratory assistant.
The ball will be held on Saturday, 29 July from 7.30pm until midnight at the Collingwood Town Hall, Hoddle Street, Collingwood.
The cost is $95 and includes a live band, auctions, door prize raffle, light supper and a drink card for five drinks.
For donations or further details write to the Magdalene Foundation, 332 Warburton Highway, Wandin 3139, or call Rosemary McCallum on 5964 2930 or mobile 0402 664 706.
All donations over $2 are tax deductible.