After many years in planning Cancer Council Queensland will today launch the $3 million Marylyn Mayo Lodge for Far North Queensland cancer patients.

CCQ's CEO, Professor Jeff Dunn, said the launch was a major milestone for Far North Queenslanders affected by cancer.

"This is a great day for regional cancer patients, a great day for CCQ supporters, and a great day for the people of Far North Queensland.

"Thousands of patients will benefit from this facility, enjoying a chance to recover from cancer treatment in a comfortable setting with all the support they need from CCQ."

Prof Dunn said the lodge was the generosity of the local community.

"We owe special thanks to our supporters across Far North Queensland and our major benefactor Dr John Mayo, whose tremendous donation in memory of Marylyn Mayo has provided a lasting legacy that will make a difference in the lives of many patients and their loved ones.

"I would also like to thank and acknowledge our major supporter and chair of the Cairns capital campaign committee, Mr Claud Mangifesta.

"Each of these gentlemen personifies the charitable spirit of the Cairns community."

CCQ also received a $2.5 million grant from the Queensland Government's three-year $15 million Regional Patient Accommodation Scheme to purchase the facility for refurbishment.

Member for Cairns Desley Boyle said the Government was committed to providing more services, sooner and closer to home for Cairns locals.

"That's why we provided $2.5 million dollars towards this lodge which will compliment the expansion of oncology services at Cairns Base Hospital," she said.

"The Liz Plummer Cancer Centre recently opened to patients at Cairns Base Hospital and means up to 340 Far North Queensland patients no longer have to travel to Townsville for treatment."

Member for Barron River Steve Wettenhall said The Marilyn Mayo lodge would make a profound difference to Far North Queensland families.

"It will give patients travelling to Cairns from other parts of FNQ a home away from home while they receive treatment at this new facility."

Local retiree, Dr John Mayo, donated $300,000 towards the refurbishment of the facility in memory of his late wife, Marylyn Mayo, who has been honoured by the Cancer Council as namesake of the Lodge.

"The lodge is a great credit to CCQ's supporters in Far North Queensland and I am grateful to be involved in helping provide cancer patients with a 'home-away-from-home'.

"The lodge staff are of the highest calibre and will be a wonderful support to patients.

"I am very privileged to have the opportunity to be part of this major new development and congratulate all involved."

Dr Mayo's donation towards the lodge is in addition to his contributions through the Marylyn and John Mayo Reserve Fund, a cancer research fund established by Dr Mayo and managed by CCQ. The fund is now worth over $1.2 million and supports cancer-related PhD scholarship programs in Queensland.

Chair of CCQ's Cairns capital campaign committee, local businessman Claud Mangifesta, said he would continue with fundraising towards the annual running costs of $400,000 to operate and maintain the lodge.

"We've received excellent support from local businesses such as Trinity Auto, The Good Guys Cairns, Bunnings, Gale Pacific, and Pickers Vinyl and Canvas.

"Anyone interested in supporting the Marylyn Mayo Lodge can contact me via the Courthouse Hotel to get involved.

"All funds raised will go towards running the lodge each year and ensuring that receive access to CCQ's comprehensive range of support services and programs, including the Helpline and Cancer Counselling Service," he said.

Prof Dunn said patients would not be charged to stay at the lodge.

"With the new Cairns lodge, Cancer Council Queensland will spend well over
$1 million each year to run accommodation lodges statewide for regional cancer patients.

"Our number one priority is to support all cancer patients in their fight against the disease and the launch of the Cairns lodge is an important achievement."

The refurbished lodge will have nine twin bed rooms, three self-contained rooms, and two self-contained units with separate bedrooms.

It will have the capacity to accommodate up to 32 people at any one time, providing over 5,800 patient bed nights per year and 5,800 potential bed nights for carers or family members.

The lodge will feature common areas, such as a communal kitchen and laundry, recreational space for residential activities, and a swimming pool. All rooms have off-street parking and Cancer Council Queensland is currently seeking sponsors for rooms, furniture and ongoing operating costs.

The lodge is located four kilometres from Cairns city central and Cairns Base Hospital, at 564 Mulgrave Road, Cairns.

Donations can be made online via www.cancerqld.org.au or by phoning CCQ's Cairns office on 4047 5500.

ENDS

ABOUT MARYLYN MAYO

Born and raised in New Zealand, Marylyn Eve Mayo (nee Mason) had a lifelong interest in education, law and the visual arts. Her academic career establishes her place as a legal pioneer in Australasia. The University of Auckland had fewer than two dozen women law graduates when Marylyn Mason completed her BA/LLB in 1960.

After practicing as a Barrister and Solicitor in New Zealand, Marylyn moved to Australia in 1969 to teach law at the University of Queensland's campus in Townsville, soon to be known as James Cook University. It was here she met and married John Mayo in 1970. Marylyn's vision to establish a separate Faculty of Law at James Cook University was realised in 1989 when she became the Foundation Head of its newly established Law School. She retired in 1996, retaining her interest in cinema, art, and travel, and working as a member of the Australian National Health and Medical Research Committee between 1997 and 2001. Marylyn and John Mayo moved to Cairns from Townsville in 1999, to enjoy their retirement together. Her links with James Cook University remained with the establishment of the Marylyn Mayo Medal and the Law Students' Society's annual Mayo Lecture.

Her legacy is also honoured at the Auckland University Law School with the Marylyn Eve Mayo Endowment Scholarship and the Marylyn Mayo Rare Book Room, recently gifted by her husband, John Mayo. Her special interest in art is recognised with his generous funding of the Auckland Art Gallery's Marylyn Mayo internship and the establishment of the E.H McCormick Research Library's annual art history journal and most recently with funding of the Marylyn and John Mayo Members Lounge and the Painting Conservation Studio at the new Art Gallery. Dr Mayo is also a major benefactor of the Auckland Cancer Society's Domain Lodge Trust in her memory.

Marylyn Mayo passed away of breast cancer on 26 November 2002.

For more information, please contact:
Anne Savage, Chief Communications Officer
3634 5241 or 0417 709 869