THE first official radiotherapy patient will start her treatment on Monday, December 9.
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General manager of the Shoalhaven Business Chamber Jennifer Stewart was present at Friday’s official opening.
Addressing VIPS as they toured into the new linear accelerator area Mrs Stewart, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in January this year, said the new centre would make a huge difference to her treatment and life.
She has already undergone six months of chemotherapy and recently started the first of her 30 radiation treatments in Wollongong.
So far she has undergone nine treatments.
“Having a facility like this in Nowra will be amazing,” she said.
“I feel extremely honoured to be the first patient.
“I thought I was fortunate to have chemo here under the fantastic local team, which was great.
“I always asked about radiation, I wanted to keep working and hoped it would be possible in Nowra. It hasn’t quitw lined up but Wollongong has been great.
“I’ve been able to get early morning appointments, get to Wollongong, get treatment and be back in the office by 10am.
“This means I will be able to have more time at home and more time with my son.
“This facility means so much, not only to me to be able to be treated locally but to people from the whole region, especially those who travel so far.”
It is estimated that the machine will save 250,000km in patient travel to Wollongong alone.