After being diagnosed with prostate cancer, John Ryan has been welcomed back to Cancer Council Queensland’s Rotary Gluyas Lodge – some 30 years after contributing to the build of the project.
The Airlie Beach local said the construction of the Rotary Gluyas Lodge is one of his proudest projects.
“I’ve been a member of the Rotary for over 40 years, including two terms as President of the Airlie Beach Rotary Club,” he said.
“As President, I was able to help the community through our district club project of funding the construction of the Rotary Gluyas Lodge in Townsville for Cancer Council Queensland.
“Multiple Rotary clubs in the North Queensland district came together to fundraise for the project, in which I’m very proud to have been involved.
“The lodge assists residents across North Queensland by offering them a place to stay while undergoing cancer treatment.”
The lodge, which was opened in 1991, warmly welcomed Mr Ryan back in 2019 as a guest while he underwent treatment for prostate cancer.
Mr Ryan said he now looks back at his involvement in the construction of the lodge with even more gratitude and pride.
“Little did I know back in the eighties that I myself would be a resident at the lodge to receive treatment.
“I can now see for myself the immense benefit the lodge has made to the well-being of cancer patients and their families in North Queensland.
“Having that home away from home with the friendly and informative staff at the lodge has been a real eye-opener, and I can’t thank them (or indeed Rotary) enough for providing this valuable service.
About Cancer Council Queensland’s accommodation lodges:
Cancer Council Queensland’s accommodation lodges support people who need to travel to access treatment. Patients often travel from from regional and remote areas to access life-saving cancer treatment they wouldn’t otherwise receive.
There are currently six Cancer Council Queensland accommodation support lodges in Queensland. Cancer Council Queensland have lodges in Brisbane, Townsville, Cairns, Toowoomba (closed for renovations until early 2020) and Rockhampton.
The lodges offer comfortable self-contained units and studio-style apartments close to major hospitals and treatment facilities.
Patients and carers also have access to support services and practical assistance while staying at the lodges, such as transport and peer support, enhancing quality of life during treatment.
More information about Cancer Council Queensland is available at cancerqld.org.au or call 13 11 20 for information and support.