August 21 2009

Palliative care patients are now one step closer to receiving vital support in Townsville, with Cancer Council Queensland’s Palliative Care Centre nearing completion.

The project management and construction team including representatives from RCP, Matrix North Queensland and Minelec, will celebrate the milestone at the facility on Friday, August 21.

CEO of Cancer Council Queensland, Prof Jeff Dunn, said the facility will provide terminally ill patients with essential care.

“Our Cancer Council Queensland Palliative Care Centre will provide 20 new, much needed, palliative care beds for the Townsville community,” he said.

“We applaud and thank everyone involved in the building process and everyone who gave generously to the campaign.”

The Sylvia and Charles Viertel Charitable Foundation kick-started the building project by donating $3.5 million, and inspiring the community to give a further $6.86 million.

“Nearing completion marks a major milestone for local palliative care patients and the Townsville community,” Prof Dunn said.

Each year in Queensland more than 6600 people are faced with the news they have terminal cancer.

The Cancer Council Queensland Palliative Care Centre is the largest building project undertaken by Cancer Council Queensland. Queensland Health will fit-out the building in the lead up to the official opening on October 9.

Cancer Council Queensland is an independent, community-based charity. The achievements of Cancer Council Queensland are made possible by the generosity of Queenslanders.