Queenslanders impacted by cancer are set to benefit from a $785,000 Federal Government grant for Cancer Council Queensland to upgrade its patient lodge at Herston in Brisbane.
The grant has been awarded under the National Stronger Regions Fund, to support the delivery of priority infrastructure to benefit regional and disadvantaged communities.
The project will include modernisation of 29 rooms, office and communal spaces, and wi-fi systems, creating nearly 60 jobs during and after construction and generating a direct economic benefit of over $1.5M for the local economy.
Cancer Council Queensland CEO Professor Jeff Dunn AO welcomed the lifesaving commitment.
“This funding will provide a vital lifeline for regional Queenslanders travelling to Brisbane for cancer treatment,” Prof Dunn said.
“It will help improve access to world-leading clinical and supportive care services, helping to prevent the estimated 350 regional cancer deaths each year due to the city-country divide.
“It has long been established in evidence that cancer patients living in outer regional areas are more likely to die within five years of a diagnosis than those living in cities.
“Our research estimates 13 per cent of all regional cancer deaths are preventable, with about 350 deaths avoidable each year if survival rates in the bush were equal to those in the city.
“This major Federal funding boost will allow us to upgrade the lodge and assist in addressing this disparity, not only for today but for future years.
“We applaud this investment and welcome the commitment of the next Australian Government to improving quality of life and survival outcomes for all Queenslanders, affected by all cancers.”
Cancer Council Queensland operates six accommodation lodges statewide, providing a potential 100,000 bed nights each year for cancer patients, carers and family at no out-of-pocket costs.
Each year the Charles Wanstall Apex Lodge accommodates about 1400 patients and their carers, also providing 1600 episodes of transport and 640 occasions of support.
This equates to about $1.8M worth of accommodation provided to patients for no out-of-pocket costs, based on commercial accommodation rates.
The National Stronger Regions Fund has allocated funding of $1 billion over five years to fund priority infrastructure nationwide.
Around 26,000 Queenslanders are diagnosed with cancer every year, and about 8600 die from the disease.
More information about Cancer Council Queensland is available at cancerqld.org.au or 13 11 20.
ENDS
For more information or interviews, please contact:
Executive Manager,
Media and Spokesperson,
Cancer Council Queensland
Phone: (07) 3634 5372
Mobile: 0409 001 171