BAGS FOR EARTH AND SCIENCE INC was formed with a dual purpose: to assist the environment by promoting tote bags made from natural fabric (eg cotton, canvas, hessian and jute), and to fundraise in perpetuity for Science (Medical research).
Our organization is holding its first official fundraiser, the HEART TREE DEDICATION CEREMONY, to raise funds for the Healthy Lifespan and Chronic Diseases program conducted by award-winning Distinguished Prof Vasso Apostolopoulos and her team at RMIT University. Prof Apostolopoulos, whose photo appears below, is our special guest speaker at the event.
The idea for the Heart Tree came about in 2015 after Patrick Constantinou, the beloved 34-year-old nephew of the Artist, was diagnosed with Brain Cancer. After two operations, the Brain Cancer returned with a vengeance and funds were raised at a fundraiser so that he can have an operation by renowned surgeon, Dr Charlie Teo. The operation gave him an extra 15 months of life. When Patrick was in palliative care at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre, he was by then robbed of his speech and use of his limbs. While he lay in bed in his room, the Artist created for him the ‘Heart Tree’ picture to give him something other than a blank wall to look at. Each day that his aunt visited, she would add more hearts to the tree, and he would respond by thumping on his heart with a clenched right fist. He loved his picture, and it showed him just how much that he was loved.
The Heart Tree was created for Patrick, who died at the age of 37, and the idea for the Heart Tree fundraiser is dedicated to his memory by the Artist, who is also one of the Founding Committee members. This is the first official Heart Tree Dedication ceremony, but it will become an annual event, celebrated on Valentine’s Day, the day of LOVE!
Our Charity was incorporated in Victoria on July 15, 2024 (Number A0123857B) and registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC), and endorsed by the Australian Taxation Office as a Deductible Gift Recipient, income tax, GST and FBT exempt.
Functions held by our Charity are tax deductible!!
