In one of his last official engagements, CQUniversity's retiring Vice-Chancellor Professor John Rickard presented the Cancer Council Queensland with a $5000 cheque towards its new education, support and accommodation facilities on Upper Dawson Road in Rockhampton.

Cancer Council Queensland Building Fund Committee member Aurilea Augustine was on site to receive the award. LINK HERE for Relay raises quarter of million on campus

The cheque presentation

CQUniversity is pleased to support the Central Queensland Cancer Support Centre on the basis of our leadership role in the community and to support an initiative that is likely to be very important for some of our staff, students and alumni, and their friends and families.

The new centre will help to strengthen health services in the Central Queensland region, improving patients' access to diagnostic, treatment and support services.

LINK HERE for more details

The facility will be the only short-term accommodation facility catering to the specific needs of cancer patients and their families in the regional health service area and will aim to increase access to cancer screening and detection services by Central Queensland people.

Over 100 events across cancer support, prevention and early detection and fundraising were hosted on-site in 2008 however, with increased capacity, this figure will increase significantly and enable opportunities for collaborating with partners such as the local hospitals, Screening Services and Community Health.

An illustration of the new facility

Education programs will also cater to community and health professionals. The centre will host a range of educational programs such as the National SunSmart Schools Program, smoking cessation education and programs promoting awareness and prevention of cancer.

If you would like to support the centre by making a donation please contact Kim Walters, Capital Appeals Co-ordinator - Central Queensland Cancer Council Queensland, T: (07) 4927 7088, E:  KimWalters@cancerqld.org.au