New building for the Cancer Council South Australia integrates care/accommodation in a first for Australia
The new integrated care building for the Cancer Council South Australia (SA) on Greenhill Road in the Adelaide city fringe suburb of Eastwood.
Cancer Council South Australia (SA) opened its new integrated cancer building at 202 Greenhill Road, Eastwood, on Adelaide city’s fringe, in 2023.
The building combined cancer research, prevention and support services alongside 120 rooms of supported accommodation. It was the first of its kind in Australian in bringing all of Cancer Council SA’s services and supports under one roof.
Cancer Council SA chief executive Kerry Rowlands said the building will help to reduce the rate and impact of cancer for generations to come: “Through providing state-of-the-art accommodation alongside our full range of services and supports, all under one roof, we are ensuring that not only regional South Australians, but all South Australians impacted by cancer, have every chance to survive their diagnosis.”
The building was financed by a $10 million grant from the South Australian government alongside donations from the South Australian community. Guests at the official opening ceremony by state government health minister Chris Picton included Scott Collins from Mount Gambier, who stayed at Cancer Council SA’s accommodation while undergoing lifesaving brain cancer treatment, and Ken Vlatko from Menindee who had been staying at Cancer Council SA's accommodation since March 2022 while undergoing treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
Vlatko said his cancer was “rare, so when I was diagnosed, I knew that my small town didn’t have the medical support I needed. Leaving home, friends and family was hard, but having somewhere to stay like Cancer Council SA’s supported accommodation made all the difference. Every staff member here is an absolute angel. The service they provide is just amazing. Whether it’s taking me to treatment, providing food or just being a listening ear, it really is a home away from home.”
