SINCE its doors opened five years ago, close to 3000 people from across the Central West have sought accommodation at Western Care Lodge while being treated for cancer at Orange Hospital.
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Servicing a catchment of 280,000 people, guests have come from towns and villages across the Central West with most coming from Cowra, Parkes, Dubbo, Forbes, Mudgee, Grenfell and Wellington.
Built by Cancer Care Western NSW, which celebrated its 10th anniversary on Friday, the lodge runs at a capacity of between 98 per cent and 100 per cent.
Cancer Care Western NSW fundraising chairwoman Jan Savage said about $5.4 million has been raised for the lodge since October 2006 with in kind donations bringing it closer to $6 million.
"There's not a town and village that hasn't contributed in some way," Mrs Savage said.
"We've had contributions from regional CWA, Lions clubs, Rotary, Quota and other community organisations.”
As well as the lodge, Cancer Care Western NSW has also successfully lobbied for radiotherapy services and more recently raised $350,000 for clinical cancer trials.
Chairman John Carpenter said he was impressed by the dedication and support of all the communities including Orange where residents, businesses and the council have contributed to the lodge despite not staying there.
“We designed this place with a view to making it a home away from home and almost without exception they are the very words most of our guests use when they leave the place or when they come back,” Mr Carpenter said.
However, he said there is still more fundraising to be done for both the lodge and the clinical trials which is hoping to introduce another part-time employee.
“This place is already five years old, we are looking at the costs of refurbishing and replacing furniture,” he said.
Over the past eight years individuals and community groups from Parkes have raised an estimated $125,000 for the lodge. In other areas – Forbes about $120,000, Wellington $110,000, Grenfell $100,000, Condobolin $175,000, Dubbo $235,000.