Chris O’Brien Lifehouse | March 2015 newsletter

Inpatients in the ‘house’ Chris O’Brien Lifehouse becomes Australia’s first fully operational, integrated cancer hospital.

We’re thrilled to announce that inpatient services at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse have commenced. On Monday 2 March we welcomed our very first overnight guests to our ‘house’, the culmination of months of preparation and years of fundraising and work to realise the vision of the late Professor Chris O’Brien and his co-founders for an integrated, world-class cancer hospital for NSW. The commencement of inpatient services includes the opening of 125 overnight beds, eight new state-of-the-art operating theatres and a high-tech intensive care unit (ICU). Our CEO Eileen Hannagan commented: “This is a major milestone for our community and for healthcare in Australia.” The new patient offerings will have a Chris O’Brien Lifehouse CEO Eileen Hannagan significant impact on the lives of those living with cancer as well as their carers and speaks with the Hon. Tony Abbott at the families and also the health system, adding significant capacity with the dedicated Media Launch of inpatient services. beds and ICU for cancer cases. Leaving a legacy of research exacerbated the loss felt by many. my tertiary research studies with a PhD However the research into the various in Psychology at Victoria University, cancers and their treatments must Melbourne. I subsequently worked for continue. many years as a consulting psychologist in private practice established in several Why did you feel it was important to medical clinics in the eastern suburbs leave a gift in your Will? of Melbourne. I am now retired and I feel privileged to be able to financially enjoying the so-called ‘golden years’. contribute by way of a bequest, to two PhD scholarships to be undertaken What do you hope will be the in cancer research at Chris O’Brien outcome of your legacy? Dr Gitta Trexler, a (now retired) Lifehouse. It is gratifying to contribute to I would like to acknowledge the psychologist based in Melbourne, a cause that has high potential to benefit tremendous collegial achievement in recently contacted Chris O’Brien a lot of people whose health is in serious establishing the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse. Lifehouse to discuss leaving a gift in her need of help. I hope it may continue to blossom and Will to medical research. Dr Trexler spoke grow into the ranks of a national cancer to Open House about her reasons for Was your family supportive of institution. leaving a bequest to fund two named your decision about leaving a bequest? PhD Medical Research Scholarships. My son Mark Nobel shares this view. I would therefore like one of the two How did you learn about Lifehouse? scholarships to be known as the Mark Chris O’Brien Lifehouse sincerely I became aware of Chris O’Brien’s work Nobel PhD Cancer Research Scholarship. thanks Dr Gitta Trexler for her through the RPA program on television. vision in leaving a gift in her will to I was impressed by Chris’ giving attitude Was there a particular reason you support PhD researchers – a gift and obvious moral commitment to his chose to support PhD students that will keep on giving. For more work with cancer patients. It was surely working in medical research at information about leaving a gift in one of life’s ironies that this man should Lifehouse? your Will contact Alison Muir on contract and succumb to a cancerous My belief in the value of research has (02) 8514 0356 or visit: brain tumour himself and the fact that been a strong motivator for me over a www.mylifehouse.org.au/ it occurred as he was approaching the long period of time. Years after leaving how_you_can_help height of his medical expertise only my home country Germany, I completed L to R: Margie Abbott, the Hon. Tony Abbott, the Hon. Mike Baird, Kerryn Baird at the launch.

Highlights from our media launch

In February we were joined by several “We are here because the fight against “As an independent, not-for-profit distinguished members of federal, state cancer matters. Every year about hospital, we’ve relied on the generous and local parliament, including the 120,000 Australians receive a cancer donations of our community and the Prime Minister of Australia, the Hon. Tony diagnosis,” Mr Abbott said. “It is centres support of state and federal government Abbott and the Premier of NSW, the Hon. like this which mean … every year to get us to this point” said Eileen Mike Baird, Tanya Plibersek, Member for children flourish who otherwise would Hannagan, Lifehouse CEO. Sydney, NSW State Health Minister, the not, every year, parents get to hold their “What we’ve achieved so far is immense, Hon. Jillian Skinner MP, and the Hon. children when otherwise they would today is the culmination of more than Kevin Rudd for a special event hosted in not, [and] every year grandparents a decade of planning, fundraising and the Lifehouse LivingRoom. They joined get to see their children and their working towards this shared goal, honoured guests including some of our grandchildren when otherwise they though in another sense today marks valued colleagues from RPA and Sydney would not.” the beginning of the next phase of our Local Health District as well as members Mr Baird commented that the event was journey. We’re fully operational, we’re of the press, Gail O’Brien and Chris beyond politics, saying “Everyone agrees up and running and that means that O’Brien Lifehouse CEO Eileen Hannagan, ... this is something we should be very now the focus is on enabling the work – Board and Executive members for a proud of … We have been absolutely the research, the education, the support special media launch of our inpatient amazed and inspired by Chris’ work.” services, the uncompromising care that services and a behind-the-scenes look at The event was also an opportunity will transform cancer care in Australia our facilities prior to opening them to for the Lifehouse team to publicly and lead, ultimately, to better outcomes patients in March. acknowledge the generous for people living with cancer.” Mr Abbott and Mr Baird both spoke contributions of the thousands of at the launch, sharing a few words individuals and organisations who about how Lifehouse will contribute to have helped us realise the ambitious healthcare at a state and national level vision of the late Professor O’Brien and in its capacity as a fully operational, his co-founders. independent cancer hospital:

Premier Baird stops for a quick selfie with Premier Baird addressing guests at the event. Lifehouse team members. Open Letter Welcome to Open House, your new-look, newly-named supporter newsletter which will keep you in the Lifehouse patient Lyn Harvey (centre) loop and updated about goings-on at with (L to R) Margie Abbott, the Hon. Chris O’Brien Lifehouse each quarter. Tony Abbott, the Hon. Mike Baird and Kerryn Baird at the Media Launch of Our new name is an apt one given that inpatient services. we’ve just officially opened our ‘house’ to inpatients, marking our transition Lyn Harvey: a view from level eight to a fully operational hospital. It also We chatted to Lifehouse patient Lyn Harvey about her cancer journey speaks to our commitment to you – our and her experience testing out our inpatient facilities. community and supporters – to keep the lines of communication open, to “On November 18, 2014, I was as I did – they couldn’t believe the extend an open invitation to all of diagnosed with breast cancer. By standard. you to stay connected to our journey. the 25th of that month I was here at “When we were chatting I commented Lifehouse is, after all, a house you Lifehouse for day surgery to have a lump that even though no one wants to go helped to build and we’d like you to and five lymph nodes removed from my to hospital, if you have to, you might think of it as your house as well. breast. I celebrated New Year’s Eve by as well make it beautiful and open starting my chemotherapy treatment. I On that note I’d like to take this and welcoming like Lifehouse. In fact, was booked in for four sessions. My last opportunity to thank all of you for it doesn’t feel like a hospital at all, one is coming up next Wednesday. After your support and contributions that more like a hotel. I’d like to book in for the chemo finishes I have a one month have helped us to come to this point a weeklong stay (without a medical break and then start daily (Monday- – where we can now celebrate being reason, of course). Even the food looks Friday) radiation therapy for one month. a fully operational, fully integrated delicious, it’s nothing like ‘hospital food’ cancer hospital offering specialised, “No one loves having to come to you might’ve experienced before and uncompromising care on a 24/7 hospital, but as far as hospitals go, I you just order it off the menu when you timetable. It’s a great achievement love this place. I’ve had a very good feel hungry, like room service. and one to be shared by our whole experience – the facilities, the staff, the “Dr O’Brien would be very proud community. volunteers – everything is excellent, you looking down on everything to see can’t fault it. Now the real work begins. We’ve got what a beautiful hospital Lifehouse has so much to do, so much potential to “I recently got to experience some become; an open, bright positive place realise, a huge impact that we can of the inpatient facilities first-hand as with great people behind it. I think it make on the delivery of cancer care in part of the hospital’s preparation for takes a very special kind of person to this country, and, with your continued inpatient services. I tested out the work in cancer care. support, we’re ready for it. private rooms up on level eight and was “I’m nearly finished with the chemo shown around all the services that the —Eileen Hannagan and about to start my final treatments inpatients will get to use – everything CEO, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse (a month of radiation therapy), so I’m from the à la carte menu that the looking forward to what’s coming next, dietitian showed me through to the in- after all the treatments. You’ve got to do room entertainment system. that – to look forward, to stay positive “I’m not normally very advanced when it and plan things. My husband and I love comes to computers and things like that to travel, so once I get better we’re but I thought the entertainment system going to go off to Europe for six months, was wonderful – you’ve got the tablet to starting in Florence, and this period will control everything and you can ask your just be in the past. I’m really looking care team questions using the TV in the forward to the trip, it’ll be good to get room, the staff can view your chart and away, to relax and refresh. While you’re medication info and there’s internet and still young and healthy, you’ve just got movies, even cartoons for the kids to to do it. As I always say, ‘we’re here for a watch when you have visitors. They’ve fun time, not a long time’ - you’ve got to just thought of everything. live and enjoy every moment while you can. My mum passed away from breast “While I was trying out the room I got to cancer a few weeks ago and she had the meet Prime Minister Abbott and Premier same attitude, she’d always say ‘there’s Baird and their wives who were visiting plenty worse off than us’.” for the media launch event. They had much the same reaction to the facilities Five minutes with Dr Payal Saxena Gastroenterologist and Interventional Endoscopist

What does your role as a gastroenterologist and interventional endoscopist involve? I look after all gastrointestinal issues including cancer (as well as non- cancer) problems with the oesophagus, stomach, colon, pancreas, gall bladder and bile ducts disorders. How long have you been working at I was absolutely blown away by the preference towards these types of Lifehouse? What’s it been like so far? quality; there’s nothing that I cannot do procedures as there’s no incisions or I started doing procedures here in here in terms of procedures. We have scars, improved recovery time and September after the launch of day the same monitors and technology as less post-operative pain. surgery. While I’m a VMO (visiting I was using at Johns Hopkins. And on What are you currently working on medical officer) I work closely with top of that everyone is very forward research-wise? the Lifehouse clinical and support thinking, collaborative and supportive, I’m still an assistant professor at Johns staff. Everyone is great, both on a it’s a fantastic environment. Hopkins, so I’m involved in a lot of professional, collegial level and also What kinds of procedures do you research and publish regularly. in terms of the care they deliver to do here? I’m currently working on research into patients. My patients have been very I’m an interventional endoscopist, which the effectiveness of pancreatic cancer complimentary in the feedback they’ve is still a somewhat emerging discipline, screening and pancreatic cysts (which given me. They really appreciate that especially in Australia. Endoscopy is are precursors to pancreatic cancer) and someone calls them the day after their usually a diagnostic procedure, but the management of these problems. procedure to check they’re doing ok. interventional endoscopy is therapeutic This is a new area of research in our In August last year I returned from a – I can provide certain treatments as Australian context. two year interventional endoscopy well as conduct diagnostic explorations I also contribute to the International fellowship at Johns Hopkins which is in the one procedure. Cancer of the Pancreas Screening (CAPS) one of the best hospitals in the world Through some new techniques I learnt, program, collaborating with clinicians in terms of practice, model of care and I can remove gastrointestinal stromal all over the world to develop the facilities. To come out of that world- tumours, early gastric cancers and worldwide registry of patients who’ve class environment and into this one treat pancreatic cysts without the had surgery as a result of the screening was amazing – it’s the same standard of need for surgery. There’s a patient program. technology and equipment.

Specsavers: a lifesaving vision Thanks to a generous $29,000 donation from the NSW Specsavers Community Program, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse gynaecological oncology clinicians will be able to see more clearly when it comes to detecting cervical cancer. The funds will be used to purchase a state of the art Colposcope, the Colposkop 150 FC; a tool which helps clinicians to recognise precancerous changes of the cervix and surrounding tissues when the naked eye is not enough. By detecting precancerous lesions of the cervix, colposcopy procedures can help doctors identify and treat abnormalities before they develop into cervical cancer. Lifehouse CEO Eileen Hannagan said “We are so thankful to all the Specsavers stores involved for making it possible to purchase this invaluable piece of equipment, that will, ultimately, help us save lives.” The Specsavers Community Program raises funds for selected local charities around the country. A true community-led program, the initiative empowers Specsavers customers to select their preferred beneficiary, by voting with a token for each pair of glasses purchased at Specsavers. A subsequent donation is then made by the store, out of the store partners’ own pockets. This donation to Lifehouse was a combined effort involving 28 Specsavers stores across NSW. A nourishing gift

With delicious recipes from the likes of Kylie Kwong, Guillaume Brahimi, Maggie Beer and Matt Moran, as well as many cancer patients and carers, The Patient Chef is a recipe collection like no other. Featuring recipes that are designed to nourish and comfort while catering specifically to the needs of those living with cancer and/or undergoing treatment, it makes an ideal gift for patients or carers, or just anyone who loves to cook and eat delicious food. All proceeds from the sale of the book are donated to Chris O’Brien Lifehouse. Buy your copy from the Lifehouse Help Chris O’Brien gift shop or online: shop.mylifehouse.org.au. Lifehouse save lives Thank you You can help Chris O’Brien Lifehouse transform the treatment of cancer and bring hope to the lives of cancer patients, their carers and families.

Chris O’Brien Lifehouse is Australia’s first fully integrated, independent not-for-profit cancer hospital offering clinical care, research and Knox Old Boys vs. Iggies Old Boys at last year’s match. education in the one location. Photo courtesy of Knox Old Boys RUFC Instagram. By raising funds for patient care, research and A heartfelt thanks to all the old boys who put their education at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, you can bodies (and reputations) on the line again in late 2014 help us realise the vision of the late Prof. Chris for the third annual BrothersIVBrothers rugby match of O’Brien and his co-founders and make a real Knox Old Boys vs. Iggies Old Boys. The game festivities difference to people living with cancer. along with the charity lunch and auction raised over $90,000 for Chris O’Brien Lifehouse. To make a tax deductible donation, Thanks to all who got involved, especially the players please fill in the coupon overleaf. on both teams who gave it their all in the wet and wild conditions, and the event’s sponsors for their generous To donate by phone, please call the support. And congratulations to the Knox Old Boys Chris O’Brien Lifehouse fundraising team who won the match on the big day. on 1300 852 500 or visit our website Save the date for this year’s event: BIVB Lunch 21 www.mylifehouse.org.au. August, BIVB Rugby Match 22 August. Details to follow in the next issue of Open House. Supporter and community events The Rocky Horror Picture show 10 April 2015 Ticket sales are on now for the final dress rehearsal of this Please complete, detach and return this form along hit musical with proceeds being donated to Chris O’Brien with your donation, in the envelope provided. Lifehouse. Book your seats today for a fantastic evening at the CHRIS O’BRIEN LIFEHOUSE Lyric Theatre all in support of a good cause. PO Box M5, Missenden Road http://goo.gl/2rmVmj Camperdown NSW 2050 Sydney Morning Herald Half Marathon Title: First name: 17 May 2015 Challenge yourself to complete this 21.5km iconic route and Surname: help us raise vital funds to make things easier for people with Company: cancer. www.smhhalfmarathon.com.au Address: Dry July Sign up to the challenge of a month off the booze and help make a positive difference to the lives of adults living with Suburb: cancer. au.dryjuly.com State: Post code: Sydney Uni Charity Rugby Match SUFC v. Gordon Ph: 11 July 2015, Uni Oval #1, from 1pm (main game at 3pm) Email: Come along for a great afternoon of Rugby and help raise funds for Chris O’Brien Lifehouse. I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A TAX DEDUCTIBLE City2Surf DONATION TO CHRIS O’BRIEN LIFEHOUSE 9 August 2015 SINGLE DONATION Join Team Lifehouse in the world’s largest run. Gold places now I would like to make a single donation to support available! bit.ly/1DFPdOx Chris O’Brien Lifehouse. $25 $75 $150 $250 $500 Other: $ Blackmores Sydney Running Festival Your tax deductible receipt will be mailed to you. 20 September 2015 Take in some of Sydney’s most spectacular and historic MONTHLY DONATION landmarks including the Harbour Bridge and Opera House and I would like to make monthly contributions to Chris O’Brien take part in one of four challenges from the Sydney marathon to Lifehouse. Please debit monthly from my credit card the family fun run and raise fund for adults with cancer. (details below) until further notice. http://www.sydneyrunningfestival.com.au/ $20 $35 $50 $100 Other: $ One tax deductible receipt will be mailed to you at the Sydney Ride to Conquer Cancer end of each financial year. 10 – 11 October 2015 The 2015 Sydney Ride to Conquer Cancer benefiting Chris CREDIT CARD PAYMENT O’Brien Lifehouse is for anyone who wants to challenge Amex Mastercard Visa themselves for a great cause. All you need is motivation, a bike Card number: and a helmet. The money you raise for The Ride will benefit Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, a world-class cancer treatment and Name on card: research facility providing integrated care and support services Signature: Expiry date: / to public and private patients. http://sy15.conquercancer.org.au I would like to receive the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse e-newsletter. The Sydney Weekend to End Women’s Cancers 7 – 8 November 2015 I would like to receive information about including Chris O’Brien Lifehouse in my Will. The Sydney Weekend to End Women’s Cancers benefiting the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse is a Weekend you’ll never forget. It’s a I would prefer not to receive further mailings from Chris Weekend to remember those lives we have lost to breast or O’Brien Lifehouse. gynaecological cancer and a Weekend to celebrate the lives we are saving. This is a Weekend creating hope for every woman’s THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT, YOUR future. http://sy15.endcancer.org.au CONTRIBUTION WILL HAVE A DIRECT IMPACT ON THE LIVES OF PEOPLE LIVING WITH CANCER.