Olivia's dream takes shape
By Michelle Pountney, health reporter
OLIVIA Newton-John has outlined her dream of a fully integrated can-cer centre that treats patients both medically and spiritually.
The singer and federal Health Minister Tony Abbott visited the Aus-tin Hospital yesterday to discuss how the Govern-ment’s $10 million grant would be used to build the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre.
The $50 million centre will provide treatment, education, training and research. It will have a “wellness centre” for people to practice tai chi, yoga, receive a mas-sage, make a cup of tea or chat with patients. “I want to create the facility I dreamed of when I was going through cancer,” Newton-John said yesterday.
“The cancer centre will provide patient-centred care for the body, mind and spirit, and will be the best of both worlds: a place for excellence in ground-breaking research and a place of support and healing,” she said.
Newton-John, who successfully battled breast cancer 14 years ago, has given $2 million to the centre.
More than $20 million has been raised, and it is hoped the first sod will be turned in 2008.
Newton-John and Mr Abbott spent 30 minutes talking to patients in the Austin’s cramped day oncology unit.
Mr Abbott took a back seat to Newton-John. She asked patients how they were coping and said that she was overwhelmed by their positive attitude towards their battle.
Patient Chris Marks, who is fighting pancreatic cancer, welcomed the Government’s $10 million grant for the new centre. “The staff are wonderful and deserve to work in the best environment,” she said.
“It is quite often very cramped in here. You sometimes have to wait a long time for treatment.”
Sitting next to her was K Megalogenis, receiving his second round of chemotherapy for testicular cancer.
He said an upgraded centre would be fantastic, and joked that after three to four hours a day of chemotherapy every day for a week, some more magazines would be a great start.
Newton-John said: “I was really moved by talking to them and how positive they were and how touched they were by the treatment and nurses of the hospital. Even if they were frightened or back for a second time, they all talked about positive thinking as being really important.”
About 30 per cent of the Austin’s patients are battling cancer, and 23,000 Victorians a year are diagnosed with cancer.
“We come together to tackle one of the most serious scourges we face in the community,” Mr Abbott said. He said it was vital that the centre was able to conduct world-class research.
Mr Abbott took a parting swipe at the State Government, which has yet to offer any money. “I hope you will soon have an opportunity to thank the State Government,” he said.
Positive response: Olivia Newton-John chats to Narelle Davies. Pictures: Bill McAuley.
Helping hand: Newton-John and Frances Morrison swap hospital stories.