Leukaemia Foundation SA Patient Village receives funding green light
Regional Australia Minister Simon Crean with Leukaemia Foundation CEO Peter Cox and General Manager SA/NT Simon Matthias
The Leukaemia Foundation is celebrating a $3.9 million Federal Government funding grant through the Regional Development Australia Fund (RDAF), which will see the construction of a purpose built patient accommodation village in Adelaide to support regional blood cancer patients and their families.
The official funding announcement, made by Regional Australia Minister Simon Crean at the Leukaemia Foundation offices yesterday, will bring the $9.5 million Patient Village project to life with construction expected to commence shortly.
The Patient Village, being built in Northfield, will provide specialised support to blood cancer patients and their families who must relocate to Adelaide for vital treatment. It will include 15 two and three bedroom apartments and recreation and patient support facilities. A new administration office for the Leukaemia Foundation will also be constructed at the site.
CEO of the Leukaemia Foundation, Peter Cox, explained that “the entire complex has been designed specifically for the special needs of blood cancer patients and their families, taking into account factors such as the patient’s reduced immune function during treatment and the importance of creating a supportive and relaxing environment.”
“It will be a place they can call home for as long as they need it, provided completely free of charge to help keep the family together when they need each other the most,” said Peter.
Blood cancers like leukaemias, lymphomas, myeloma and related blood disorders can develop in anyone, of any age, at any time. With few clearly identified risk factors and often no real warning, the impact of a diagnosis is immense and usually immediate for both the patient and their family.
The diagnosis can be particularly traumatic for regional patients and their families, uprooted from their homes, work and support networks as they have to relocate to treatment in Adelaide, often within 24 hours of diagnosis. The average length of treatment is eight months.
“We thank the Federal Government for partnering with the Leukaemia Foundation of Australia to continue to lessen the impact of blood cancer on Australian families,” said Peter.
With blood cancer now the second biggest cancer killer in Australia and more than 31 people diagnosed each day, the need for accommodation support has never been more important.
For more information, media details, photo opportunities or interviews, please contact:
Janica Lewis
Marketing & Communications Manager SA/NT
0402 466 947
jlewis@leukaemia.org.au
