Dry July funding comprised part of the $2 million cost of recent refurbishments at these Perth based lodges, facilitating stays by an additional 340 country cancer patients each year.The refurbishments have created an additional nine guest rooms, six at Crawford and three at Milroy, including the brand new family unit which can accommodate a family of six. Each suite has an ensuite bathroom, bedside table and lamps, lounge or arm chair, table and two chairs, tea/coffee making facilities, refrigerator, telephone, television and clothes storage.

Alongside the addition of guest rooms, at Crawford Lodge we have taken the opportunity to create an additional communal kitchen with an outdoor decking area, new laundry facilities and installed a lift to have easy access to the new family unit (previous caretakers unit upstairs) and to a new staff laundry in the basement.

We have also introduced a new complementary therapy room at Milroy Lodge as well as an improved drop off and pick up area in the upper carpark.

The addition of 9 new rooms across both Lodges means

• 342 additional patients per year that can be accommodated (based upon average stay of 9.6 nights)

• a reduction of waitlists by 60% (based upon 2015-16 FY waitlist)

• increased kitchen and laundry amenities to meet the needs of additional guests

• improved use of space at both Lodges

According to long time Carnarvon resident Garfield Bissett, our Milroy Lodge in Perth is a piece of ‘heaven’.

The 67 year old who describes himself as an old ‘bushie’ from way back has been living at Milroy Lodge since April last year following a bowel cancer diagnosis. Milroy is one of two Cancer Council WA Lodges providing accommodation for country cancer patients who need to re-locate to Perth for treatment.

“You’ve got no idea what this place means to so many of us,” he said. “It’s unbelievable what the staff and volunteers do for you,” he said.

Garfield said he was particularly appreciative of the efforts of our Cancer Support Co-ordinator at the Lodge, Karen, who arranged to transport his car to Perth which he described as a ‘godsend’.

“Any problem you’ve got…you just go and speak to one of the staff and they’ll fix it for you. It’s not easy being in Perth but without this place, I’d be dead,” said Garfield.

While Garfield is unsure how much longer he will need to remain in Perth for treatment he said all of the comforts and support at Milroy make putting up with treatment so much easier.

“You really don’t realise how great Cancer Council is until you’ve been here.

Cancer Council Western Australia's Crawford Lodge Lodges provide a comfortable home away from home for regional patients and their carers that come to Perth to access treatment.

Dry July has funded $100k towards refurbishment of Crawford Lodge to convert a meeting room into accommodation, to provide more space and availability for patients.

The team are working on the design and delivery of this project which will commence shortly.

Cancer Council Western Australia has used Dry July funds to replace card locks at Crawford Lodge. The previous system was old and failing, which was frustrating for guests who needed shuffle back and forth between reception and their room to gain access after a long day of travel or treatment.

Peel and Rockingham cancer patients can now get to treatment more easily with Cancer Council WA launching a dedicated transport service in March.

Operating from Cancer Council WA’s Mandurah and Rockingham offices, the service provides safe, convenient and comfortable transport for patients undergoing radiotherapy at Fiona Stanley Hospital.

Elaine Young, Cancer Support Coordinator for Peel, said the service will alleviate stress for patients who normally have to drive to and from treatment. 

“Driving long distances in heavy traffic can cause unnecessary stress and discomfort,” said Ms Young.

“Our new transport service will allow cancer patients to relax before and after treatment so they can focus on getting better.

“It also takes the burden off friends and family who often have to help out when patients are too sick to drive themselves.”

The service is driven entirely by passionate volunteers who live in the Mandurah and Rockingham areas who are keen to help out members of their community.

“After we put a call out for volunteers we had a flurry of calls from local residents who were more than happy to give up their time, which shows the terrific generosity and compassion of our community,” said Ms Young.

The purchase of the vehicle was made possible by using funds raised by Cancer Council WA supporters who took part in Dry July.

The service officially commences on Tuesday, 15th March and operates on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

The van for Peel and Rockingham is pictured here alongside the (Dry July funded) vehicle that supports the Midland region.