3634km for cancer treatment | Northern Rivers News | Local News in Northern Rivers

Ana Vlastaras | 24th November 2009

Bernie McDonald has to travel from Grafton to Coffs for cancer treatment.

SINCE being diagnosed with skin cancer in September last year, Grafton man Bernie McDonald has travelled about 3634 kilometres to seek radiation treatment at Coffs Harbour Health Campus.

More than 20 times Bernie did the round trip to Coffs Harbour, and every one of them he paid for himself.

“All up, I travelled to Coffs 23 times because my family and I took the view that if the treatment needed to be done, it would be,” he said.

Before his radiation treatment even began, Bernie had to wait for a spot to become available at the closest treatment centre in Coffs.

“The hardest part of my ordeal was the four month wait in between my surgery and the beginning of treatment,” he said.

“Which was because there were too many patients or not enough equipment, depending on how you look at it.”

Bernie’s story is just one of hundreds the Cancer Council has gathered for its report – titled Roadblocks to Radiotherapy - stories behind the statistics – highlighting the issues that leave 5000 patients without treatment each year.

Cancer Council North Coast manager Patty Delaney hopes the report will lead to an increase in public radiotherapy services on the Far North Coast

If you are undergoing radiotherapy treatment or require a copy of the Cancer Council’s Understanding Your Rights book, contact its helpline on 13 11 20.

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