The opening of GenesisCare’s integrated cancer care centre and research hub in Maitland is a “game-changer” for Hunter Valley residents.
That’s according to the man behind the Mark Hughes Foundation and the ever-popular Beanies for Brain Cancer initiative, Mark Hughes.
The Newcastle Knights legend admitted he was honoured to be involved in the official proceedings to unveil the top-notch medical complex – which offers radiation therapy, medical oncology, advanced imaging, pathology and allied health services in one convenient location – on Wednesday 2 February.
“I, unfortunately, see the devastating effects of cancer day-in, day-out through the foundation,” he said.
“And, it’s definitely in our community.
“I’m a born and bred Kurri Kurri boy, who went to high school in Maitland, so this region means the world to me.
“It’s fantastic to know that when people from Singleton, Muswellbrook, Raymond Terrace, Kurri Kurri, Cessnock – all these areas and beyond – get struck down with cancer, and they’ve got the fight of their lives on their hands, they now get the opportunity to be closer to home to receive treatment.
“That means more time with their family and more time to be surrounded by their friends.
“It’s so important to have that support network around you.
“Cancer is a tough diagnosis to process at the best of times for the patient, family and friends.”
Located adjacent to the recently-opened New Maitland Hospital, GenesisCare’s integrated cancer care centre at Metford is home to a highly-advanced linear accelerator, capable of delivering the latest radiation therapy treatment techniques, as well as a high-resolution PET-CT scanner used for cancer detection, monitoring and treatment planning.
Patients will also have access to VMAT (Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy), for non-melanoma skin cancers, including basal cell carcinomas (CCC) and squamous cell carcinomas (SCC).
“We’ve [Mark Hughes Foundation] had dealings with GenesisCare at Gateshead, so we’ve got a strong connection there,” Mr Hughes said.
“I’m very proud of our wonderful relationship with them – and everyone involved in this project, too.
“It’s great to see them expand into the area so that the good people of the Maitland district, and the coalfields, get to benefit from this world-class facility.
“It’s state-of-the-art – there’s no reason why it shouldn’t be in Maitland.
“We now get the best treatment to give ourselves the best chance of fighting this disease.
“I think it’s a great community asset.
“And, it will make a huge difference for so many.”
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