Cancer Council Queensland’s $6 million Ellis Lodge in South Brisbane will celebrate its first anniversary today, Friday 30 May, from 10am.
Cancer Council Queensland past and present lodge residents, health care professionals, donors, CCQ staff and volunteers will attend the celebration for speeches, cutting of the cake and a tour of Ellis Lodge.
Since the 20-room lodge opened in 2013, 325 patients and 195 carers have stayed at the facility, providing 6956 nights of accommodation to date.
Media are invited to attend the celebration for photo/interview/filming opportunities.
What: Ellis Lodge celebrates 1st Anniversary.
Where: The Greek Club, 29 Edmondstone St, Brisbane, followed by Lodge tour.
When: Friday, May 30,10am-11.30am.
Who: Past and present lodge residents, health professionals, CCQ staff and volunteers.
Contact: Kim Ryan, Senior Media Advisor, CCQ M.0488 015 702
Ellis Lodge is one of six statewide regional patient lodges run by Cancer Council Queensland, with others in Townsville, Cairns, Rockhampton, Toowoomba and North Brisbane.
Cancer Council Queensland spokesperson Katie Clift said over the past year Ellis Lodge had provided vital access to life-saving cancer treatment for regional Queenslanders.
“Patients staying at the lodge often travel from remote and regional areas of Queensland to access life-saving cancer treatment they wouldn’t otherwise receive.
“This vital facility allows patients to have the best possible chance of beating cancer, and will contribute to improved survival rates long-term.
“There continues to be a strong demand for regional cancer patient accommodation in Brisbane, and now with two Cancer Council lodges in operation, we are able to make a significant difference in the lives of regional families impacted by cancer.
“Estimates suggest that about 9 per cent of regional cancer-related deaths could be prevented if regional cancer survival rates were equal to South East Queensland.
“This means that more than 250 regional Queenslanders die of cancer each year because they live outside urban centres.
“The Ellis Lodge provides patients with a home-away-from-home at no cost, ensuring they’re not as severely impacted by the financial impacts of a cancer diagnosis.
“Equally important, patients who stay at the lodge will have access to support services and practical assistance, such as Cancer Counselling and peer support, which benefit quality of life and treatment compliance, improving survival outcomes.”
Cancer Council Queensland is an independent, community-based charity, the achievements of which are made possible by the generosity of Queenslanders.
More information about Cancer Council Queensland is available at www.cancerqld.org.au or via Cancer Council Helpline 13 11 20.
For more information, please contact:
Kim Ryan, Senior Media Advisor, Cancer Council Queensland P.(07) 3634 5239
For interviews, please contact:
Katie Clift, Executive Manager, Media and Spokesperson, Cancer Council Queensland P.(07) 3634 5372 M. 0409 001 171