New building soon for cancer patients

Press, 2 April 1985, Page 9

New building soon for cancer patients

Building will begin on a new $550,000 information and accommodation centre for cancer patients in Christchurch in July. The two-storey building, to be built beside the present Cancer Society premises at 246 Manchester Street, will house up to 14 people — both cancer patients and supporting members of their families. It will be the biggest centre of its type in the South Island. It will provide improved office and information facilties, and six bed-sitter units for use by out-of-town cancer patients needing to visit Christchurch Hospital for treatment. Each will have private bathrooms and patients will

be able to share a kitchen and lounge. “This facility really provides something more than just accommodation,” said the president of the Canterbury-Westland division of the Cancer Society, Dr Pat Kelleher. “Patients who are learning to adjust to a changed life can meet here and gain the support of other people in a similar situation. “They will have access to our staff and volunteer support group members, people who have been through a cancer experience and who can provide support as well as answer with first-hand knowledge some of the questions new cancer patients are sure to have," Dr Kelleher said.

The accommodation and care provided will be free and only a nominal cost charged to the supporting members of family. Dr Kelleher said that the division had totally outgrown its present facilities, and the new centre was vital if the Cancer Society was to continue its outreach to cancer patients in Canterbury, Westland, Buller, and Nelson. Once the building is complete, it is expected that the present Cancer Society premises will be sold and removed. The site will then be used for car-parking or for possible extensions. Dr Kelleher said that the pfficial opening of the building should be in about a year’s time.