Friday, 30 September 2016

The Leukaemia Foundation was thrilled to officially open the doors to the Building of Hope, the new Victorian Patient Accommodation Centre on Wednesday July 13.

The occasion was marked by an official ribbon cutting ceremony, attended by the Minister for Health, Hon Jill Hennessy. Minister Hennessy was given a tour of the apartments and facilities, including a community space, landscaped courtyard with pool and barbeque area and she declared the facility to be “absolutely invaluable”.

The $9 million accommodation complex is located in North Melbourne, close to major metropolitan treatment centres and will provide a temporary home for people with blood cancer and their families. The apartments have been specifically designed to provide a clean, safe and home-like environment that will lessen the financial burden and keep families together when they need each other the most.

“This wonderful new centre will be a much-needed sanctuary and place of hope for Victorians touched by blood cancer,” said Minister Hennessy.

The 15 fully furnished apartments will provide regional people undergoing blood cancer treatment with a hygienic and relaxing living environment when they must relocate to Melbourne, free of charge.

The best outcomes are achieved in metropolitan treating centres where specialist pathology and radiology facilities, positive pressure isolation rooms, bone marrow transplantation services and clinical trials are all available.

“A diagnosis of blood cancer is invariably unexpected, and in acute cases treatment must begin within 24 hours,” said Chairman of the Leukaemia Foundation, Beverley Mirolo.

“On top of the initial shock, those affected must deal with the upheaval from their home, work and family to seek potentially lifesaving treatment.”

Support services staff will provide additional practical and emotional support from the ground floor office where residents can access a counselling room, education and resources.

For more information please visit Building of Hope.